La tua pelle brucia

"Hot Spell" is an extremely painful movie to watch....so if you are feeling depressed you might want to think about seeing something else. The story is about a family that is a total wreck due to a petulent jerk of a husband....and the wife tries desperately to convince everyone, especially herself, that she has a good life.

The story begins with Alma (Shirley Booth) running about town meeting with her grown children to organize a birthday dinner for her husband, John Henry (Anthony Quinn). It's obvious that she is desperately trying to make sure everything is perfect. Once John Henry arrives home, however, it's obvious he's a disease....an ugly, selfish jerk who enjoys destroying those around him and cheating on his wife...because it's all about him. It's truly painful seeing the man emotionally mistreat them all...and his wife, through it all, keeps a stiff upper lip and convinces herself that life with this jerk is great. Her kids, also, are part of this game...deluding each other into thinking they have a functional family. You know that sooner or later, something's gotta give.

In some ways, "Hot Spell" is similar to "Death of a Salesman". Both are about men with an inflated view of themselves and who represent the worst of fathers...a man who is emotionally stunted and selfish. Watching him and the way his family reels as a result of his whims is pretty sad to see. And, like "Death of a Salesman", an excellent portrait with some wonderful dialog....though painful throughout and draining. Because of the excellent writing and some amazing actors, it's a very good film....painful...but good. And, it's so painfully realistic...I never want to see this movie again!!

"It takes an awful lot of energy to fool yourself"...and this pretty much sums up this film.