I remembered how sexy this movie was from when I watched it 20 years ago in college--the opening scenes are dripping with tension and really stand out in building heat with precision and economy. What I did not remember at all was how queer this movie is, with Gino caught between his pulsating passion for Clara and the unquestioning vibes he gets from la Spagnolo. It sets up a triangle that is pretty shocking to watch in its frankness, especially in how the camera frames and focuses Gino's body and lusts throughout. In my chronological viewing of the "1001 movies..", this feels like a lightning rod--a turning point.