“Tomato Pulp”, a self-described short exploitation film, is best summed up during the final credits that show a chef assembling a dish of spaghetti pomodoro. Director Joe Goldie serves up some very interesting scenes in his film, but there are far too many visual elements, strange characters and wandering dialogue for something clear and cohesive. In fact, all the odd elements fail to make anything quirky or charming. Instead, the film skirts along early Andy Warhol films without the appeal of a Joe D’Allesandro, finally coming to a rather abrupt and disconnected ending.
Directed by Joe Goldie, “Tomato Pulp” is a spaghetti western on drugs, with most film convention thrown out the window. None of it detracts from the flow of the story because the film is fascinatingly chaotic, only revealing one simple truth: the characters are wholly unlovable. When it comes to exploitation, scripts tend to overdramatize, allowing conversations and declarations to skirt along the line of absurd and wonderful. In “Tomato Pulp,” however, most of the dialogue is what one would hear from a group of 16-year-old boys who have just discovered internet sex and bad words. Thankfully, the film’s odd ball drag queen manages to tie the film into a volatile, cracked package.
The exploitation is in the action, where “Tomato Pulp” manages to live up to its billing. Unfortunately, it arrives without making much sense. Still, Goldie makes use of interesting film angles and mise en scene to build good elements within the story to keep the film from derailing whenever dicey artistic elements are introduced. The end result is utterly loveable, pitfalls and all, and a bold entry into the brave new world of spaghetti exploitation westerns.
Because of the amount of nudity, this film is probably not safe for children, although the body parts are stiff, mummified silicone. In other words, it doesn’t jiggle naturally, but you will be treated to something that looks like the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station near San Diego.
Cultural points: There is plenty of spaghetti, including a cooking lesson, along with the chance to learn new swear words in Italian. Also, Italian guys.
Available on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPk_oLHMOYg.
“Tomato Pulp” (Italy)
Director: Joe Goldie
Photography: Silvio Orlandi
Screenplay: Alessandro Iacovaccio, Silvio Orlandi, Joe Goldie
Cast: Claudio Mulas (J.J.), Enzo Perrotta (Johnny), Marco Silocchi (Lince), Alex Bakstley (Pilone), Matt Ice (Biondo), Anna Tapu (Margot), Kimberly Logan (Genevieve).
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