Gang War in Milan/Review

Salvatore "Toto" Cangemi (Antonio Sabato) is the leader of a successful prostiution ring in Milan. But what was once a peaceful time in the underworld is suddenly interrupted by a French drug lord, Roger Daverty (Philippe Leroy) who offers a partnership with Toto by supplying the Toto's prostitutes with heroin. But Toto doesn't want to have anything to do with this new intruder on his territory and refuses the deal. And as Toto soon finds out, Daverty isn't one to be messed with. Daverty proves his point by having Toto's escort clientele being beaten,raped,disfiguered, and arrested. This results into small skirmishes between the two gangs which is now on the verge of eclipsing into a full-blown mafia war. But the situations begin to calm down when Toto, on the advice of his right-hand-man, Lino (Antonio Casagrande) hires Lino's godfather, an American-raised mafia veteran named Billy Barone (Alessandro Sperli) to secretly turn Daverty's gang inside out without the use of violence. But Daverty has his own secret plans as well by using a mysterious, british vixen named Jasmina (Marisa Mel) to lull Toto for the fall. Who will emerge out on top?

There's a small representation within the Euro-Cult film community that will say that director Umberto Lenzi seemed to reach his biggest stride in the Poliziotteschi/crime-thriller genres rather than the plenty of horror entries which he appears to be more famous for. I place myself in the category in thinking that Lenzi accomplished his best work with these serious, poliziotteschi films. Milano rovente is another example of proving that Lenzi was more comfortable and efficent in the handling of these films. One big thing that this film has going for it is that just when you think it could go the predictable route of your typical mafia that erupts into a battle to the death when it reaches it's climax, minimal twists and turns begin to appear in the script where mindgames (Instead of all-out violence) is refreshingly used. But don't fret about a lack of action in the film because there is plenty of it abound. However, it should be noted that there's a bit of politically incorrect material appearing in the film. Such as some sadistic cruelty recieved by the prostitutes and Daverty's sexuality is put on display in cringe-inducing manner. But hey, this is the type of nature that an exploitation film is guaranteed to deliver. What's to be expected? Aside from maybe that (Along with music composer's Carlo Rustichelli's patience-trying horn theme) Milano rovente is very much a solid film and one of the more memorable gems I've seen from Poliziotteschi cinema.

Reviewed by Laydback