← Back to Reviews
in
Set some years after World War II, In a Glass Cage follows Angelo (David Sust), a young man that seems to be set on taking revenge on Klaus (Günter Meisner), a former Nazi doctor and pedophile murderer. To do this, Angelo poses as a nurse interested in taking care of Klaus, who is bound to an "iron lung" after a suicide attempt. Despite the reluctance of Klaus' wife (Marisa Paredes), Klaus insists, which leads to Angelo taking control of the house while torturing and tormenting the doctor by reenacting his former crimes.
It is not clear why Klaus insists in hiring Angelo, it might've part blackmail, part intrigue from his part, but it is clear why Angelo wants to be there. After all, it's pretty obvious he's one of Klaus' former victims. The above exchange occurs at a point when Klaus realizes that Angelo is up to no good and that he and his family are actually in danger. However, Rena (Gisela Echevarrķa), his young and "naļve" daughter, who has taken a liking to Angelo, is more dismissive. After all, he's just changing things up and "fixing the house".
Pulling this curtain here... putting some wire fence there... burning this furniture here... getting rid of the housekeeper... and torturing the Nazi pedophile murderer in the "iron lung". Those are some of the items on Angelo's checklist to "fix the house". Rena, who is a victim of abuse from her mother, welcomes him because she sees it as an opportunity for things to change. But pretty soon she realizes that Angelo's goal is not to "fix" or change things, but to change himself, and as a result, those around him, for better or worse.
In a Glass Cage was controversial due to its themes of pedophilia, torture, and murder. But even though I agree that the content is disturbing, I was surprised to see that there's more under the surface. In a way, it reminded me of Martyrs, which is also a disturbing, tough-to-watch film that ultimately is much more than meets the eye. This film ends up being an interesting exploration of the effects of violence and abuse, and the resulting endless cycle it begets.
The budget does show from time to time, but overall, Villaronga's direction was clean and the performances were quite solid, particularly Sust. This is made more impressive by the fact that this is the first film for both of them. As for the story, I think it has a nice pace as things escalate gradually, and the ending packs a punch.
Grade:
IN A GLASS CAGE
(1986, Villaronga)
(1986, Villaronga)
"Rena, don't laugh. He's going mad."
"No, he isn't. He's fixing the house."
"No, he isn't. He's fixing the house."
Set some years after World War II, In a Glass Cage follows Angelo (David Sust), a young man that seems to be set on taking revenge on Klaus (Günter Meisner), a former Nazi doctor and pedophile murderer. To do this, Angelo poses as a nurse interested in taking care of Klaus, who is bound to an "iron lung" after a suicide attempt. Despite the reluctance of Klaus' wife (Marisa Paredes), Klaus insists, which leads to Angelo taking control of the house while torturing and tormenting the doctor by reenacting his former crimes.
It is not clear why Klaus insists in hiring Angelo, it might've part blackmail, part intrigue from his part, but it is clear why Angelo wants to be there. After all, it's pretty obvious he's one of Klaus' former victims. The above exchange occurs at a point when Klaus realizes that Angelo is up to no good and that he and his family are actually in danger. However, Rena (Gisela Echevarrķa), his young and "naļve" daughter, who has taken a liking to Angelo, is more dismissive. After all, he's just changing things up and "fixing the house".
Pulling this curtain here... putting some wire fence there... burning this furniture here... getting rid of the housekeeper... and torturing the Nazi pedophile murderer in the "iron lung". Those are some of the items on Angelo's checklist to "fix the house". Rena, who is a victim of abuse from her mother, welcomes him because she sees it as an opportunity for things to change. But pretty soon she realizes that Angelo's goal is not to "fix" or change things, but to change himself, and as a result, those around him, for better or worse.
In a Glass Cage was controversial due to its themes of pedophilia, torture, and murder. But even though I agree that the content is disturbing, I was surprised to see that there's more under the surface. In a way, it reminded me of Martyrs, which is also a disturbing, tough-to-watch film that ultimately is much more than meets the eye. This film ends up being an interesting exploration of the effects of violence and abuse, and the resulting endless cycle it begets.
The budget does show from time to time, but overall, Villaronga's direction was clean and the performances were quite solid, particularly Sust. This is made more impressive by the fact that this is the first film for both of them. As for the story, I think it has a nice pace as things escalate gradually, and the ending packs a punch.
Grade: