Wide Open

Wide Open is a movie that you will want to watch

Fans of 70's Swedish sex kitten Christina Lindberg may wish to check out this film which is billed as Ms Lindberg's last movie appearance. I would note that there is now a NTSC Region 1 version of "Wide Open" available from Impulse DVD so N. American viewers can enjoy the expereince . All that said - "Wide Open" is actually not all that great a flik, nor does one get as much of Christina as might be wished for, and is implied by her prominent appearance on the box cover art! The Impulse disc 'extras' includes an interesting, contemporary, interview with both the film's Director, Gustav Wicklund, and Ms Lindberg herself (still looking pretty hot after all these years!)... that sheds some light on aspects of the film. Wicklund had previously directed Lindberg in the (much better) film: "Exposed" and was hoping to cash in on her popularity again with his new concept of a crossover softcore sex/gangster film. However, Lindberg had just returned from making big bucks on a Japanese movie deal ("Sex & Fury" and "Journey To Japan") and her, newly, inflated fees only allowed Wicklund to hire her for two days of shooting... thus her presence in "Wide Open" is relatively minimal. Still her time on screen is used to good advantage as she is pretty much gloriously naked throughout in scenes as diverse as a porno photo shoot to nude vacume cleaning in her boyfriend's apartment.The overall filmic experience of "Wide Open" is pretty uneven. The director was apparently attempting to create a blend of sexiness and criminal intrigue with a light comedic overtone. From my perspective he didn't do a very good job of merging the genres. The plot involves a low life guy who is living with two sisters and enjoying sex with both of them. About 50% of the plot revolves around the 'tensions' created by this sexual triangle. One of the sisters, Beryl (played by blond Gunilla Larsson) gets inadvertantly involved in a drug drop by picking up a fur coat belonging to another woman that has mysterious packets of white powder hidden inside it... she is then pursued by the gangsters trying to recover their property. The henchman who is trying to get the drugs back for his 'boss' is portrayed as a bumbling klutz - and this provides the 'comedic' element. Sadly, it all doesn't really come off very effectively in the director's (and editor's) hands. The characters are all somehow sorta unlikeable, the 'situations' unbelievable, and the continuity is choppy. Christina plays the role of a photographer's girlfriend both of whom are rather tangential to the main plot and characters. Gunilla Larsson gets the most female screen time and I'd have to give her about a C+ on the attractiveness scale - which is also the 'grade' I might give to the whole movie. Lindberg explains in her interview that her 'skin film' career ended because her boyfriend/husband of the day (himself a 'centerfold' photgrapher!) didn't want to 'share' her with anyone else, so she quit the biz. Thanks buddy! If one wishes to get a real sense of the qualities that made Ms Lindberg 'a star' I'd recommend viewing other of her earlier offerings such as "Maid In Sweden", "Thriller, A Cruel Picture", and the, previously mentioned, "Exposed". Still, if you are a die hard fan of Lindberg and/or Swedish erotica, "Wide Open" may be worth a look.

If I could just write terrible twenty times and have this review published I would but since I can't I'll just say save your money not to mention your time and look elsewhere for anything watchable

b

It brings back memories of watching some of theese movies. I wonder where the years went. I was in my twenties.

I didn't really expect very much, but if you like the cover you will probably like the Movie. The plot involving gangsters and dope, a sadist, and various relationships was not particularly compelling, but the nudity was good.

Can’t remember

the girl on the cover doesn't appear in the movie

Great film

Arrived on time thank.As for the movie I have seen better

christina lindberg was sweden hottest sex symbol in the 70's but did not have a major part in this film.supposedly uncut but this not so,having seen the original version,i know this film has been censored.nonetheless it still had enough of the script to remain a ok film

not very impressed would not recommned it to anyone I thought it was RUBBISH without a doubt. a total waste of money

Not very good value for money!