FLARE UP
US, 1969, 100 minutes, Colour.
Raquel Welch, James Stacey, Luke Askew.
Directed by James Neilson.
Flair Up is a conventional thriller of the late 60s, designed as a vehicle for Raquel Welch. It is quite enjoyable as a thriller and Raquel. Welch fares fairly well in it. It has the colour and style of the more psychedelic aspects, of film making of the late 60's,.
1. The significance and tone of the title and its indication of theme? Thriller expectations and their fulfilment? The atmosphere and style of the credits? The song and its significance for the film? Did the film live up to these expectations?
2. Was the film any wore than a "B" grade thriller? Its use of thriller conventions, how successfully? average or above average?
3. The importance of Raquel Welch in the film? Her role during the credits? The mystique of Raquel Welch as a sex symbol? Did this add to the value of the film or detract from it?
4, The atmosphere of the opening, the go-go girls, the southern situation and killing and fear? Was this well sustained?
5, The importance of the chase structure of the film and the continued suspense? How well did the film sustain tension?
6. Was the film psychologically credible? Michelle and her attitude towards the killer, the police, her fears and the pursuit? Was the killer's motivation credible? The death of his wife and the blaming of the other girls, pursuing them?
7. Was the character of Michelle portrayed convincingly enough for this kind of film? Audience interest and sympathy for her? Her attitudes towards the police? to Allan, to Joe, falling in love with him yet stubbornly risking his and her life? Did she deserve a happy ending?
8. Yow conventional a hero was Joe? The quality of his relationship with Michelle? Its development into love? His support of her, especially at the ending?
9, How convincing a villain was Allen? The nature of his menace, his sudden appearances, watching Michelle, threatening the finale in the room?
10. How interesting was the observation on human behaviour, the use of coincidence?
11. The finale and Michelle's choices of liking her own life? The dramatics of the car going around the block? How good an example of a thriller was this?
