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Flashback

2000, Movie, R, 95 mins

Flashback: Review

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This generic German thriller not only adheres slavishly to screenwriting formulas but also leaves no suspense directing cliche unturned. Ten years ago, Jeanette Fielmann (Valerie Neihaus) survived a lethal home invasion by a transvestite maniac, who murdered her parents. Now psychologist Dr. Martin (Erich Schleyer) believes the institutionalized Jeanette is ready to test her sanity in the outside world. He gets Jeanette a job in the Schroeder house, working as a live-in tutor for three spoiled teens — Leon (Xaver Hutter), Melissa, (Alexandra Nedel) and Lissy (Simone Hanselmann) — who would rather party than study. With only occasional help from the family’s housekeeper, Frau Lust (Elke Sommer), Jeanette functions as a sort of soothing older-sister figure. But the high-strung Jeanette is dismayed to learn that the adolescents aren't as carefree as she thought; Frau Lust reveals that their mother hanged herself in the mansion’s stable. Jeanette has an ill-advised affair with Leon, who may not be as trustworthy as he seems. Suddenly, terror starts stalking the Schroeder’s remote, exclusive community, and this serial slayer hates teenagers. Perhaps Jeanette has picked up a deadly coping mechanism with which to manage her inner demons, or perhaps the pampered Schroeders dabble in homicide. One of Leon’s pals dons drag as a gag, which incites the killer to pick up his pace. By the time Dr. Martin pays a house call, the psycho is slashing everyone in sight and Jeanette is being forced to relive her childhood trauma. Clearly, no good can come of the volatile situation. Resolutely unspooky and oddly dated, this slasher picture imitates the stylized Mario Bava films of the 1960s without capturing any of their enduring elan. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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