This film has a similar premise as Yorgos Lanthimos's Poor Things. I have a feeling that Lanthimos had seen this and consciously or unconsciously incorporated it into his work. Irene Papas's performance is majestic and there is a lot more to this film that you would not get if you just went by the one star reviews. I personally find this period in Lattuada's work and related 1970s Italian cinema quite interesting and rewarding. These films are not at all like the cheap exploitation films that are celebrated by film buffs, MUBI and the BFI. A great deal of good work has gone into this and the editing and the action is very tight.

A ridiculous romance between a con man and a mentally retarded teenager who behaves like a baby! That was the idea chosen by Italian director Alberto Lattuada to launch the beautiful English Teresa Ann Savoy in the cinema. The director could not have chosen a worse idea! The plot of the film, vulgar and unconvincing, is very disturbing, contrasting with the tender and sweet beauty of Teresa. It is possible to interpret the bizarre relationship between Saverio and Clotilde almost as an apology for pedophilia! In addition, the film still features grotesque scenes involving feces and urine!

The movie was a great success at the time of its release, but today, it is almost completely forgotten. It is likely that such ostracism is due to the controversial nature of the story.

What a pity that the gorgeous and charming Teresa has debuted in the big screen in such an infamous way. And, to make things worse, she was hired to act in other bizarre productions after that!