When you see the name Dick Randall in the opening credits, you prepare yourself for something special. After all, this is the man who was largely responsible for such classics as The Clones of Bruce Lee, For Your Height Only, and Pieces. He produced and co-directed (albeit uncredited) this Italian/American co-production, and while it’s not as sleazy as some of his best stuff, it does contain healthy dashes of nudity and blood. That’s not quite enough to make it a classic or anything, but it’s an acceptable way to kill 84 minutes.
Daniella Giordano stars as a woman fresh out of prison who goes to stay at a creepy old boardinghouse. Before long, she starts having visions of a killer in a red mask and cloak. There’s also a matter of a bloodstain on the floor that keeps reappearing. Is it all in her head, or is someone trying to drive her mad? When the brother of the previous tenant comes snooping around the place, he teams up with Giordano to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Although the film has the look and feel of an Italian giallo, it’s largely lacking the big murder set pieces that are hallmarks of the genre (outside the opening murder sequence, that is). There’s more of a Polanski influence than anything else as there are scenes reminiscent of both Repulsion and Rosemary’s Baby. The hooded killer also similar to the one found in Torso, which was released the year before. (The music is kind of similar too.)
Overall, this isn’t bad as far as this sort of thing goes. Giordano makes for a likeable lead, and Rosalba (Lady Frankenstein) Neri and Karin (Black Venus) Schubert help to up the eye candy factor. The scenes of nudity and violence that bookend the film are solid, and the mystery-solving sequences in between are OK too. It’s just that it never quite kicks into gear and puts the pedal to the metal the way Randall’s best stuff does. In short, Room 2A is worth a rental but you wouldn’t want to live there.
AKA: The Girl in 2A.
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