A considerable hit in 1975 though was Claude Chabrol’s thriller INNOCENTS WITH DIRTY HANDS, a valentine to Romy really as its all about her coping with her devious husband Rod Steiger, and her lover as we find out who is plotting to kill who, as bumbling policemen (very Chabrol) try to unravel the plot’s many twists. Romy looks terrific here in a variety of looks and hair-dos, from the moment a kite descends from the sky at the start to land on her naked derierre as she sunbathes on the lawn. A lovely mid-70s treat now.
1980 brought Bertrand Tavernier’s LA MORT EN DIRECT or DEATHWATCH a considerable success where Romy has one of her best roles as the dying woman whose last days are being recorded by Harvey Kietel with a camera planted in his brain for a reality series in this sci-fi set in unusual downbeat locations (Glasgow and Scotland). Its all rather prescient actually now following the death of English reality star Jade Goody who lived out her last days on camera. Back in 1980 however Romy is well supported by the likes of Max Von Sydow and Harry Dean Stanton. It deserves to be much better known. She really gives an astounding performance here, 2 years before her untimely death following personal tragedies.
Like Jean Seberg, its a career that ended too soon. Romy remains one of the most international of stars, having periods of stardom in German, American, French and English films.
The recent release of the uncompleted Clouzot 1964 film INFERNO has led to revival of interest in Romy with retrospectives on her in London, Berlin and other cities. There are several biographies in French or German - we need one in English!
Paris Match cover of their issue covering her death, 1982 / Zulawski's THE MOST IMPORTANT THING LOVE is a very intense 1975 French title, co starring Fabio Testi, Klaus Kinski.
My full appreciation on Romy is on imdb at:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002769/board/nest/136933622?d=136933622#136933622
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