The Divine Nymph Reviews

This tame and rather uninteresting costume drama set among the Italian bourgeoisie of the 1920s stars the perenially nude Antonelli as a pretty young woman who has a chance meeting with nobleman Stamp while lunching with fiance Placido. Stamp soon takes Antonelli as his mistress and learns that she is full of secrets. Lying next to him in bed, she admits that she was raped when she was 15 by an older man who, unknown to Stamp, is his cousin (Mastroianni). Later, as this triangle is fleshed out, Stamp delves deeper into Antonelli's past and learns that she was forced into prostitution by Placido. It all looks quite luscious, with wonderfully baroque sets, gorgeous costumes, and the naked Antonelli, but there isn't much more here than an artsy Jackie Collins novel. Worthy of mention is Ennio Morricone's lively score--an interpretation of C.A. Bixio--and director Guiseppe Patroni Griffi's inventive and humorous use of quotes (Pushkin, Stendahl, etc.) to comment on the action. (In English; some characters dubbed.)