Modesty Blaise [DVD]

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION A beautiful former criminal named Modesty (Monica Vitti) decides to go straight and so begins working for the Secret Service, which sends her to infiltrate a ring of jewel thieves. But soon after she joins the gang, dangerous head crook Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde) grows suspicious of his new recruit, and Modesty realizes that British Intelligence gave her a mission she wasn't meant to survive. She then enlists her former partner in crime, Willie (Terence Stamp), to help her outwit both sides. .COM A pop-art explosion that makes Austin Powers look demure, Modesty Blaise is a bizarre relic from the heyday of Swinging London. Based on a comic book, the movie is strong on psychedelic art direction, long on camp (especially Dirk Bogarde's aristocratic, white-haired villain), and thin on plot--and what plot there is cannot possibly be deciphered. Italian actress Monica Vitti, the ennui-weary star of many Antonioni classics, makes an odd choice for stylish spy Modesty Blaise (a female 007 without portfolio), especially given her uncertain command of English. The gifted director Joseph Losey, not noted for his humor, apes various New Wave techniques in his approach, even allowing Vitti and costar Terence Stamp to warble an off-key song. But the most coherent contribution is the jazzy swing of John Dankworth's score, which you won't be able to get out of your head, even if you want to. --Robert Horton