I recently checked out the film Viva (2007) at the suggestion of my friend Michael Shirley. Written and directed by Anna Biller (who also takes on the title role), Viva is a homage to late 60s/early 70s sexploitation film. (Think Radley Metzger or Russ Meyer.) The plot centers around Barbi, a frustrated housewife, who finds herself caught up in the sexual revolution happening in 1972 Los Angeles. I'm not usually that impressed by 60s/70s period movies, but Biller has clearly done her homework. The visual style of the film is stunning and truly evocative of the time period. I often forgot that I was watching a film from 2007! Also, the dialogue is totally hilarious. I only wish that more movies like this were made today!
