Nothing Underneath Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Nothing Underneath Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 16, 2021

Repeated throughout the supplementary features on the “Nothing Underneath” Blu-ray is the production’s quest to replicate Brian De Palma’s 1984 thriller, “Body Double.” Director Carlo Vanzina isn’t messing around with this tribute to the filmmaker paying tribute to Alfred Hitchcock, hiring “Body Double” composer Pino Donaggio to replicate his score, going the sound-alike route to maximize the mood, and harsh violence is awfully familiar, slipping into Dario Argento territory. 1985’s “Nothing Underneath” is an adaptation of a book by Marco Parma, but it’s not big on originality, trying to deliver expected acts of horror and seduction to best capture audience interest. Vanzina isn’t De Palma, but he assembles a functional chiller with the déjà vu endeavor.

Bob (Tom Schanley) is a forest ranger at Yellowstone National Park growing concerned about his twin sister, Jessica (Nicola Perring), who’s been away in Italy, developing a career as a fashion model. He has a telepathic connection to his sibling, and when he feels unbearable pain, Bob travels oversees to find Jessica, whom he believes has been murdered. Investigating his sister’s lifestyle, Bob finds a friendly face in model Barbara (Renee Simonsen), who wants to help the American while developing an attraction to him. And there’s Inspector Danesi (Donald Pleasance), who doesn’t understand what’s going on with Bob’s mental powers, but eventually realizes that something isn’t right about Jessica’s disappearance.

“Nothing Underneath” actually begins with promise, depicting some type of horror happening to Jessica in Italy while Bob works at Yellowstone, feeling physical pain he doesn’t immediately understand. There’s a connection made between siblings, and their global divide is interesting, with the brother in Wyoming, dealing with campers and gorgeous vistas. America is soon left behind as the story takes Bob to Italy, confronted with the iciness of the fashion industry, which remains hostile to outsiders. His hotel is packed with models, including Barbara, who’s drawn to the foreigner, and Bob eventually reaches out to agents and photographers, with “Nothing Underneath” quick to depict the fashion world as a magnet for social rejects and drug addicts, and more repellent behavior is exposed later on in the movie.

The story settles into detective work, following Bob as he makes his way around Milan, trying to acquire any information concerning Jessica, staying in her hotel room to encourage their mental connection. Pleasance is very Pleasance as Inspector Danesi, who rightfully doubts Bob’s initial claim of murder, preferring to take the slow ride to recognition that things aren’t what they seem with Jessica’s disappearance. He also has strange taste in Italian food, with one scene of exposition taking place over lunch at an Italian Wendy’s, with the cop diving into a plate of plain spaghetti. It’s a weird moment, and “Nothing Underneath” has a few more to offer, with Vanzina trying to push the production into areas of De Palma-esque voyeurism, including a brief shot of Bob catching another hotel guest enjoying some private time on her bed. This has nothing to do with the story, but has everything to do with the production looking to add blunt sensuality whenever it can, including careful coverage of the models in action.

Nothing Underneath Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the original 35mm negatives. "Nothing Underneath" certainly has a lot of frame information to survey, including silky and lacy textures on model outfits and deep distances during moments at Yellowstone National Park. Detail is softer but compelling, with decent facial surfaces and decorative additions. Color is fresh, exploring the varied hues of fashion world displays and club lighting. Deeper red is found with blood. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition, with a few visible hairs.

Nothing Underneath Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix shows some signs of age, and sibilance issues are present. Dialogue exchanges remain intelligible, capturing dramatic emphasis and various accents. Scoring cues support suspense with a clear orchestral sound. Soundtrack selections offer a bit more pop music power to sell club visits and fashion show events.

Nothing Underneath Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features The Hysteria Continues.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Rachael Nisbet.

• "High Fashion Music" (12:36, HD) is an interview with composer Pino Donaggio, who was recruited by the producer of "Nothing Underneath" due to his work on "Body Double." The Brian De Palma film was the template for "Nothing Underneath," keeping Donaggio busy with suspense themes and sounds, combining an orchestra with synthesizers to add to the eeriness of the picture. The interviewee discusses other creative achievements, keeping up with De Palma demands after the success of "Body Double."

• "Murder He Wrote" (28:56, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Franco Ferrini, who discusses the process of adapting the original novel "Nothing Underneath" was based on. Research was required, along with lengthy discussions of character with director Carlo Vanzina. The production wanted a new "Body Double," and Ferrini grew uncomfortable with such closeness to Brian De Palma's movie, also pointing out other homages found in the film. Casting is explored and the reaction of the fashion community is analyzed. Ferrini also shares recent efforts to turn "Nothing Underneath" into a television series.

• "Murder a la Mode" (28:34, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Enrico Vanzina, brother of director Carlo Vanzina, who details early creative achievements in his career, also working to navigate through tragedy concerning a real-world murder around the time of production on "Noting Underneath." Vanzina repeats many of the tales told in "Murder He Wrote," including the production's desire to recycle ideas from "Body Double" and casting anecdotes. A brief discussion of the sequel is also included.

• "Models, Murder and Italy" (19:21, HD) is an interview with actor Tom Schanley, who charts his rise from theater opportunities to his casting on the television show, "The Yellow Rose," which helped to launch his career. For "Nothing Underneath," Schanley was sent to Italy, enjoying the sights, also detailing time with his co-stars, including Donald Pleasance. The interviewee was also surrounded by models, leading to a vague answer about highlights during the shoot. Schanley also provided memories of visiting Yellowstone National Park.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Nothing Underneath Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Nothing Underneath" occasionally offers violence, with a black-gloved killer picking off pretty people with a long pair of scissors, adding some blood to the crisis. What's missing is defined style, as Vanzina isn't quite as wild as the filmmakers he's lifting from. Still, "Nothing Underneath" provides an intriguing look at the fashion business in the 1980s, where shows were major events and models were disposable, encouraging the wrong kind of attention from predatory, dangerous outsiders. Perhaps the picture would've been more enticing as a true industry expose, getting ugly with the reality of business happenings, but it's a thriller instead. And one that lacks nail-biting elements to really drive home the horror of a madman on the loose. Those interested in De Palma's influence during the 1980s are certain to get a little more out of the feature, which is serviceable entertainment, simply in need of greater creative risks to reach its full potential.