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20 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :- The Cinema of Abel Ferrara, 17 January 2005 Author: Captain_Couth (sirjosephu@aol.com) from Sacramento, CA
Ms. 45 (1981) was an interesting view on the revenge flicks that were popular during the mid 70's to the early 80's. Abel Ferrara and his co-conspirator Nicholas St. John follow the life of a mute dress worker (Zoe Lund) who snaps one day after being raped twice. She kills her last attacker and keeps his gun. After seeing the grim world around her and the loss of her mental faculties, she decides to do a hunting.A strange but highly enjoyable film that takes exploitation films to a whole new level. The gritty direction by Abel Ferrara and the smart writing from Nicholas St. John elevate this movie above most of the trash that was produced during this time period. The star, Zoe Lund posses some unearthly beauty and she has that certain stuff to make the material work. Not many other actresses could have pulled this off but she some how manages to.If you can find an uncut version of this movie I advise you to go out and get it. This is one of the best vigilante movies you'll ever watch. I have to highly recommend this film. It's Abel Ferrara doing what he does best. Street level film making!
20 out of 31 people found the following comment useful :- THE best exploitation movie of the 1980s!, 1 September 2003 Author: Infofreak from Perth, Australia
The 1970s were THE decade for American exploitation movies with the likes of Roger Corman, Jack Hill, and Larry Cohen Jr creating some of the most entertaining trash ever made. For the most part the 1980s were a big let down in this department. Porkys-like sex comedies and awful buddy action movies and the like generally failed to reach the heights of the glory days of A.I.P. There were a few exceptions ('Chained Heat', 'Maniac' and 'The Exterminator' immediately spring to mind), and 'Ms.45 ' (a.k.a. 'Angel Of Vengeance') is in my mind THE single best exploitation movie of the decade. Abel Ferrara, who later made brilliant movies like 'Bad Lieutenant' and 'The Funeral', had previously made a porno movie and the infamous "video nasty" 'The Driller Killer' before this, which could well be the best rape revenge movie ever made. Ferrara's genius touch was the casting of the late Zoe Tamerlis. She is stunningly beautiful and her face is very expressive. Making her character mute makes the movie an unforgettable experience. It's really difficult trying to "sell" this stunning movie to someone. You'll either love it or you just won't "get it". I think it works very well as a post-'Death Wish' vigilante movie, but just as 'The Driller Killer' is more than "just" a slasher, this movie has a lot more to it, and that is almost completely down to Zoe Tamerlis. 'Ms. 45' might be b-grade trash to many, but it is uncompromised, something you very rarely see these days. I think it stands alongside 'Repo Man', 'Videodrome', 'Blue Velvet', 'The Evil Dead', 'The Ninth Configuration', 'Raising Arizona' and 'The King Of Comedy' as one of the most extraordinary movies released in a decade dominated by mediocre popcorn movies forced on viewers by Spielberg, Lucas, Hughes, Bruckheimer and Simpson.
15 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :- Abel's "Revenge", 10 January 2006 Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States
Ultra-dark-and-violent-loving director Abel Ferrara's first film (this one) is, like a lot of his peers' first efforts: a low-budget affair but one that got him attention and jump-started his career.The actors in here are nobodies and really not that good, particularly the landlady (Editta Sherman) who is so horrible an actress that she's interesting only because she's so inept. Zoe Tamerlis, who played the main character, is almost mesmerizing in her role even though she's a mute so we never hear her voice. She has a pretty face and gave us some effective facial expressions. Too bad she never made it as a star.The story is strictly a female "Death Wish." A nice girl gets raped not once but twice within hours, snaps, and goes out on a killing spree. Pretty basic revenge on the lowest of levels but a satisfying film nonetheless and, at 80 minutes, breezes by. Definitely worth a look if you like these kind of low-budget revenge flicks.
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :- Gritty and unforgettable vigilante /rape and revenge thriller., 4 August 2008 Author: HumanoidOfFlesh from Chyby, Poland
"Ms.45" easily has to be my favourite Abel Ferrara's flick.A fragile,pathologically shy New York City seamstress named Thana(Zoë Tamerlis)is brutally raped at gunpoint twice in one afternoon by two different assailants,first while walking home and the second in her own home.This time she kills her rapist and rather than report the crime to the authorities,decides to dispose of the body herself by dismembering the body.Meanwhile,she finds herself the new owner of his Star.45-calibre pistol,which she takes to kill for protection.Very intense,dark and gritty vigilante thriller obviously influenced by "I Spit on Your Grave" and "Death Wish" with virtually every male character being a two-dimensional predator.Zoë Tamerlis is perfect as a mute killing machine Thana-she is stunningly beautiful and deadly.10 out of 10.See it before you die!
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :- Death Wish in stockings and high heels., 22 December 2008 Author: BA_Harrison from Hampshire, England
If it's gritty, authentic 80s exploitation you're after, then look no further than Abel Ferrara's excellent rape/revenge thriller, Ms.45, which stars the stunning Zoe Tamerlis as Thana, a mute seamstress who goes on a killing spree after being sexually assaulted twice in one day. This feminist version of Death Wish is an ultra-stylish, mega-violent, and super-cool classic of the genre that never pulls its punches, and is highly recommended to fans of similarly themed cult movies such as The Exterminator, Thriller: A Cruel Picture, and I Spit On Your Grave.Whilst Ferrara's tale is admittedly the stuff of pure B-movie trash, with Thana ultimately becoming an insane, man-hating, killing-machine spewing bullets indiscriminately at any male who crosses her path, the film manages to transcend its low budget roots to become a genuine work of art thanks to its superb visuals, an unforgettable performance from the beguiling lead actress, and brilliant use of a jazzy soundtrack.Like many great exploitation pics of the era, the film makes excellent use of a very seedy looking New York, with worthless punks, violent pimps, and sexist scumbags hanging on every street corner, just begging for a slug from a .45 right between the eyes (which reminds me, is yelling 'hey, baby doll' to passing women a recommended dating technique in the Big Apple?). Drawing his inspiration from the thoroughly sleazy vibe of early 80s downtown Manhattan, Ferrara delivers an unforgettable experience that offers viewers several truly iconic moments of exploitation cinema, including Thana's transition from meek dressmaker to blood-red lipstick wearing vigilante (accompanied by a screeching saxophone), the stunning execution of a street-gang in Central Park, and the amazing finale where Thana, wearing a sexy nun outfit, loses her cool at a fancy dress party.Slick, riveting and totally unmissable, Ms.45 gets an almost-perfect 9/10 from me (it would've got a 10 if it hadn't been for Editta Sherman's irritating performance as Thana's nosey landlady, Mrs. Nasone—I don't understand why SHE couldn't have accidentally caught a stray bullet in the head!).
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :- Worthy of its cult status, 16 December 2008 Author: Woodyanders (Woodyanders@aol.com) from The Last New Jersey Drive-In on the Left
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Shy and mousy mute garment district worker Thana (a remarkably assured and nuanced performance by the lovely Zoe Tamerlis) gets raped twice in one day. After killing her second assailant with an iron, Thana takes possession of the man's .45 caliber gun and starts hitting the mean streets of New York on a mission to blow away every last sleazy no-count guy who crosses her lethal path. Director Abel Ferrara (who also has a chilling cameo as the first rapist) and screenwriter Nicholas St. John take the familiar vigilante premise and completely turn it on its ear by cleverly undermining basic exploitation audience expectations: the rape scenes aren't that graphic, there's no nudity to speak of, and all the men featured in this film are hateful and disgusting jerks who regularly prey on women in one way or another (Thana's victims include a street gang, a slimy fashion photographer, an abusive pimp, and even a rich Arab who cruises for babes to pick up in his limo). Moreover, this inspired cross between "Repulsion" and "Death Wish" reaches a stunning bloodbath climax at a Halloween costume party which Thana attends dressed as a nun. Tamerlis as Thana makes for a fascinatingly complex figure: While she nonchalantly offs numerous predatory dudes, she can't bring herself to kill her landlady's pesky dog. In an interesting touch, the initially plain and passive Thana becomes more increasingly alluring and aggressive throughout the course of the narrative. Edith Sherman as Thana's annoying and eccentric landlady Ms. Sherman gives one of the single most gloriously oddball performances ever committed to celluloid. Albert Sinkys contributes a deliciously smarmy turn as Thana's odious creep boss Albert and Jack Thibeau has a startling bit as a dejected fellow Thana picks up in a bar. James Lemmo's slick, gleaming cinematography gives the picture an attractive glossy look. Joe Delia's moody, jazzy score likewise does the funky trick (the piercing saxophone is especially gnarly). Done with tremendous crackling verve and an arresting sense of dazzling style, this highly impressive piece of ultra-kinetic low-budget indie film-making certainly lives up to its sizable cult reputation.
3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :- A potent and gripping cult classic., 20 November 2007 Author: Scott LeBrun from Winnipeg, Canada
One has to feel bad for mute young beauty Thana (Zoe Tamerlis). On her way home from work, she is dragged into an alley and raped. Then she gets back to her apartment and is raped again by an intruder. However, she manages to kill the second creep. At this point, something has snapped inside of Thana. Now a vengeance-crazed, man-hating Thana will be stalking the streets of Manhattan, just looking for men to kill. And she finds a fair assortment of jerks on her sordid journey...Director Abel Ferrara (who also portrays the first rapist, under a pseudonym) gives this gritty exploitation gem true seedy NYC flavor, infusing it with humor (some of the gallows variety) and keeping it moving along very nicely. A true feminist variation on "Death Wish" (and this film does follow that earlier film rather closely), it has a memorable central character at its core. Tamerlis (a.k.a. Zoe Lund), who had her life cut tragically short by drug-related lung and heart failure at age 37, is definitely quite captivating and does well in this role without the benefit of dialog.It's the finale at a Halloween costume party that is the most memorable portion of the picture for me. It's very stylish and I did get the sense that a human mind had become irretrievably insane.In addition to Thana, some of the other characters made an impression on me as well: her brassy and much more self-confident co-worker Laurie (Darlene Stuto), the talkative barfly (Jack Thibeau), and the perhaps stereotypically eccentric landlady (Editta Sherman).Nicholas St. Johns' script is very smart; it's worth pointing out that Thana ensnares some of her unsympathetic victims by playing up the sexuality which she had heretofore repressed so much. I was also impressed with Joe Delias' striking music.A hard-hitting story of feminism unleashed, "Ms .45" is an excellent film of its type, and a solid effort from its daring director.8/10
7 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :- Vengeance is mine!, 5 September 2003 Author: Greensleeves from United Kingdom
‘Ms. 45' is probably Abel Ferrara's masterpiece despite it's many flaws. It has originality, a great music score and it leaves an indelible impression for better or worse. When we first meet Thona (Zoe Tamerlis) we wonder why she is so quiet and it is only when one of her tormentors asks her why she doesn't speak that we realise it is because she *can't* speak. This is a shocking revelation and even more shocking is the fact that this demure looking girl becomes a cold blooded murderer. The photography captures late 70's New York to perfection, at all times of day and night. The pacing and editing are excellent leaving no time for any dull moments. The acting is perfect with the exception of the Landlady (Editta Sherman) who, despite being eccentric and amusing, is no actress. The climax is set at a fancy dress party and the ensuing mayhem when Zoe goes berserk is choreographed and filmed to great (almost hypnotic) effect.
12 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :- High-Caliber cult!, 1 March 2006 Author: Coventry from the Draconian Swamp of Unholy Souls
Neneh Cherry already specifically stated in a song that this is a woman's world, so who are we to argue with that? Women RULE this world, whether they carry around .45 caliber guns or not… Infamous cult movie director Abel Ferrara's interpretation of feminism revolves on a mute and seemly defenseless young beauty that wipes male scum from the face of the earth with a pistol. After being the victim of assault and attempted rape TWICE in one afternoon, Thana kills her second assailant and chops up his corpse in the bathtub. Whilst getting rid of the bagged body parts, she randomly kills numerous other men on the trash-filled streets of New York. "Ms.45" has quite a lot in common with Ferrara's breakthrough film "the Driller Killer", except that it doesn't contain so many tedious moments and that you actually have sympathy for the Thana character, whereas Reno Miller could die instantly for all I cared. Strictly talking from a cinematic point of view, "Ms.45" is a much better film than "Driller Killer" as well. Ferrara manages to retain his depressing yet realistic portrait of dead-end New York, but the camera-work is much more steady and versatile. Zoë Lund, who remarkably looks like Nastassja Kinski, is a terrific anti-heroine and the fact she plays a mute even increases the complexity of her character. Lund later co-wrote "Bad Lieutenant" before sadly passing away at the young age of 37, due to heart failure. Unfortunately, however, "Ms.45" didn't stand the test of time very well. The graphic violence and definitely the controversy has been surpassed severely nowadays and I sincerely doubt that the new Playstation-generation will be impressed by Ferrara's take on the explicit revenge-flick trend. Luckily selected group of film buffs including myself still consider this to be a quintessential cult gem that'll live on forever. Kill 'em all, Thana!
4 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :- Slightly Above-Average Rape/Revenge Offering From Abel Ferrara, 29 January 2006 Author: EVOL666 from St. John's Abortion Clinic
I know a lot of people have a soft-spot for this one...but looking at it in terms of what it is, and in comparison to other rape/revenge films, I personally found Ms. 45 a little lacking.The story is about a mute girl who is raped on her way home from work, and when she gets home, she is raped again by a burglar who had broken into her apartment before she got home. Obviously, this broad is not having a very good day. She then goes on a revenge-spree - blowing away every guy she can with pretty much no discrimination. The ending is a little different than what you typically see from these offerings, but not enough to raise this one too high in my book...First off, the film starts off strong, but quickly degenerates into just a bunch of guys getting shot by a woman who has pretty much lost her mind. As opposed to other films in this genre, the main character in this one blows away pretty much any male that she encounters, making her actions seem cheap and without real motive. I understand that she does this because she begins to see all men as a threat, but it still feels kinda cheap and weak.Now on the good side, the transformation of the main character from weak and timid to fierce and fearless to completely insane is interesting to behold. Pre-rape, our character is an extremely, even painfully timid and shy girl who can barely look people in the eye. Post-rape, she becomes confident, I imagine seeing herself as an "avenging angel" for scorned women. And as she becomes more intertwined and taken over by her newfound strength, she spirals into complete insanity, in a scene involving a mirror, that is strangely reminiscent to Deniro's scene in Taxi Driver - minus that "Are you talking' to me?" dialog. Even with these strong points, Ms. 45 just feels too thrown together to be truly enjoyable, even as a rape/revenge film - and believe me, it's tough to say that because I LOVE this genre as a whole, as I love to watch chicks kick ass. Anyway, I would suggest Ferarra's BAD LIEUTENANT or his far superior KING OF NEW YORK (one of my all-time favorite films...) if you want to check out some of his other offerings. 6.5 for Ms. 45
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