Drafthouse Films is synonymous with creative independent filmmaking. They’ve made their mark by serving up original works of art such as I Declare War and Cheap Thrills, just to name a few. But this time around, they are resurrecting a lesser-known crime thriller in the form of 1981’s Ms. 45. Disturbing and gut-wrenching enough to spoil the holiday season for just about anyone, fans of ultra-violent B-movie cult classics should thank Drafthouse for giving them a reborn-masterpiece.
A mute seamstress named Thana (played by the late Zoe Tamerlis) works in New York City circa 1981 and finds herself emotionally and psychologically violated after experiencing two sexual assaults just moments apart from one another. But rather than playing the victim, she attacks back. Thana takes a handgun and goes on a vengeful rampage through the streets of New York, killing any despicable male she encounters.
Director Abel Ferrara’s stylish no-holds-barred revenge tale delivers countless iconic moments, such as Thana’s night-time gang execution and her unforgettable nun-dress finale at a work Halloween Party. And although leading actress Zoe Tamerlis has sadly passed, her talents live on with this riveting and breakthrough performance. Speaking less words than this year’s assumed Best Actor Nominee Robert Redford in the survival film, All Is Lost, Tamerlis embarks on an eye-opening transformation into pure insanity. Her onscreen presence is beyond brilliant while we watch idly as the sweet and innocent Thana morphs into a crazed and psychopathic murdering machine. Her performance is remarkable, one that will haunt my memory for a very long time. Yet, Zoe Tamerlis isn’t the only person worth complimenting, Ferrara captures the audience with a sleek technique of his own. The filming angles generate immense intensity from scene to scene, solidifying Ms. 45 as a wonderful exploitation film of the 1980s.
For all of its amazing accomplishments, there’s one area that deserves criticism in Abel Ferrara’s Ms. 45. With Drafthouse’s newly remastered in HD version, the color is more than a bit off. The “reds” on screen are almost unbearable to look at. The visual quality is clearly disrupting, but certainly not enough to ruin the main character’s gritty metamorphosis into a deranged killer. Although I haven’t seen the original Ms. 45 and its initial picture-quality, this new version leaves plenty to be desired in the enhancing department.
For what it is, Ms. 45 deserves to be held in the highest regard. Many films attempt to model themselves in its image and fall victim to an over-saturation of gore and torture. While Ms. 45 certainly contains plenty of violent material, it doesn’t become obsessed with this aspect of the film. Rather it fully commits to the story and stays true to its feminist retribution game-plan. If you can appreciate a twisted and gritty revenge film of its kind, then Ms. 45 should be at the top of your Christmas wish-list.
*** Be sure to check it out in select theatres this December and January or on Blu-Ray at Drafthouse Films’ website.
GRADE: 4.5/5
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