Alias: Waves of Lust / A Wave of Pleasure A few years ago, it made a big splash in the cannibal genre with the success of Ruggero Deodato's film 'Cannibal Holocaust'. Of course, as an Italian film, it focuses more on the sexual relationships between the central couples, but the claustrophobic atmosphere and interesting characters help maintain bubbling tension, ensuring that the film remains engaging throughout. The movie doesn't feature as much 'bite' as Cannibal Holocaust and most of Ruggero Deodato's works, but it's clear that even with this early film, Deodato's potential as a director leaves a mark on the film. The plot is simple; it centers on two couples: George and Sylvia invite Irim and Barbara for a weekend cruise on their yacht. It quickly evaporates as George is not the most sensitive person around, and Sylvia seems nonchalant about his treatment. The situation escalates, and Irim and Barbara team up to get back at George and Sylvia in a three-way situation, of course. This film takes place over the vastness of a yacht, which makes for a great isolation setting, allowing Deodato to maintain focus on the characters, which is definitely a good thing. There are many scenes like typical Italian movies, with some characters' actions feeling a bit over the top and the dialogue being mostly hollow - but these things don't bother me too much, as it was enjoyable to watch. There are plenty of sex scenes, while the gore is minimal, which is unimportant because it's clear where the focus lies. This film doesn't feature any particularly well-known actors, although the four main actors would go on to appear in more recognizable Italian films. John Steiner stands out with his performance alongside the stunning Elizabeth Turner and Sylvia Dionisio, who both give good performances. The central four actors round out the cast. Overall, it is definitely worth a watch, and the tense atmosphere is good, culminating in a satisfying conclusion.
