Worth: $12.50
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Cast:
Nathan Hill, Phillyda Murphy, Simay Argento, Anton Kormoczi, Challise Free
Celebrating his tenth feature, Melbourne filmmaker Nathan Hill (I, Portrait) returns with a tale of lies and lust in Lady Terror.
Jake Large (Hill) is a well to do Melbourne lawyer with the usual trappings of a nice house, a beautiful fiancée, and his own practice in the city.
While minding his own business one day, Jake comes to the rescue of exotic dancer, Candice (Phillyda Murphy), when she’s involved in an attempted mugging. Forever grateful for his help, Candice shows signs that she wouldn’t mind getting to know him a little bit better. And despite having everything going for him, it appears old Jakey boy is on the same sexy wavelength. Quicker than you can say ‘erotic thriller,’ the two are hooking up behind Jake’s fiancée’s back.
Naturally, the course of true adultery never did run smooth and it’s not long before Jake finds himself up to his fedora in trouble. Whether it be in the shape of Candice’s quick to temper stepfather (Anton Kormoczi), who appears way too comfortable watching his stepdaughter in bed with a man, or her friend Tonina (Challise Free), who finds Jake to be ‘perfect’. And let us not forget the attempts on his life. In short, Jake is up a certain creek without a paddle. In fact, the only person looking out for our lawyer-in-danger is Ayla (Simay Argento), Jake’s secretary and private detective in training.
There’s no escaping the fact that Lady Terror is a rough and ready kind of film. Its budget undersells its promise. For example, characters wear the same outfits continually for what is narratively weeks within the film. The acting is also a mixed bag that at times undercuts the drama at stake.
The screenplay, written by Simon Salamon and Nick Levy, appears to have its feet firmly planted in ‘80s thrillers along the lines of Fatal Attraction. The kind of cinematic metaphor about STDs where everything could have been avoided if the lead male had kept it in his pants. As Jake continues to reap what he sows, his actions have an effect on those outside of his and Candice’s tryst.
For those familiar with Hill’s previous work, there’s plenty of sex, violence and intrigue to get your teeth into. For those who aren’t, this is an opportunity to uncover an enterprising local filmmaking talent.
