Scarlet Diva
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Movie Reviews of Scarlet Diva
Movie Review: great movie BUT
Summary: 4 Stars
I DO NOT SPEAK ITALIAN!!... the package is in english, yeah, so i figured thered be subtitles. the preview had subtitles so i was sure theired be subtitles. On the upside some of it is in English. But scenes in that seem the most important are all in Italian. I mean i know its an Italian film but even on dvd there are no subtitles...Though i must say, as usual Asia was amazing. Ive also seen her in B. Monkey and in xXx.... both great movies..
Movie Review: Pretty Asia is a Sad Girl
Summary: 3 Stars
First, I have to admit something. I have an inexplicably massive crush on Asia Argento. Why? I don't know. I simply do. How does this effect my review? Decide for yourself.I've read Scarlet Diva is semi-autobiographical, so if you're interested in learning about Asia (as I was) there's no better starting point than this film. You'll find her audio commentary track to be especially revealing. Asia discusses the relationship she had with her mother and how it is represented in the film. She also discusses her father, the Italian horror director Dario Argento, on the commentary and his influence on the movie. Asia talks a lot about what she was going for in certain scenes and what she was hoping to accomplish. Good stuff.
The movie itself is a little harder to describe. Asia is great in the film, but in essence, she is playing herself so it's not surprising she does a good job of it. Asia does some interesting things with the camera and plays a little bit with symbolism (an umbrella blows down an empty street... uh, what does that represent again, Asia?) and religious imagery. As you watch, you can't help wondering how much is true and how much isn't. Asia's commentary helps you sort through much of it. For instance, she sadly points out the scene where she is seduced by a blonde stranger is one of the few scenes with absolutely no basis in fact. How disappointing.
The movie will probably depress and disturb you as you venture into the life of Anna Batista, a young actress who seems to have the world at her feet. However, we discover the life of celebrity isn't as much fun as one might think. Anna is subjected to as much loss and rejection as any other poor sucker. Anna smokes a lot of cigarettes. Anna has abortion nightmares. Anna is abandoned by the one person she thought she loved. Anna has some weird friends. Is Anna all that different from you or me?
Some have described this film as self-indulgent. Well, who wouldn't want to examine and experience their own life from the perspective of a director where you have complete creative control? Isn't that what art is? An examination of who and what we are? Asia handles the material well, considering it's her first feature as a director. And in any case, I don't mind Asia being self-dulgent because, well, she's so darned hot.
Still, I have a hard time recommending this to non-Asia fans. You'll probably love it or hate it or just wind up confused. Some will come away thinking it is too artsy (i.e. pretentious) for their tastes. Others will just be excited that it's a movie totally about Asia. Personally, I fall in this second category.
Movie Review: Sometimes Painful But Very Strong Account of Actress's Life
Summary: 3 Stars
Asia Argento, daughter of Italian horror maestro Dario, has been a gifted actress on her own before her appearance in "XXX" with Vin Diesel, after her good turns in some English-speaking films like "B-Monkey" (directed by Michael Radford, "Il Postino" fame and "New Rose Hotel" by none other than Abel Ferrara. And her film debut goes back to the year 1985. Considering the fact she was born in 1975, her career is as memorable as that of Drew Barrymore, and it is only natural that Asia goes on to direct her own film, which turns out "Scarlet Diva," full of, some say, her autobiographical elements.The film traces a life of Italian actress Anna Battista, who is at the height of popularity. But despite of her fame, her private life is terribly bleak: in short, sex, drug, and violence. But in Paris, she meets her destiny, that is, a musician from Australia named Kirk, with whom she shares a bed one night.
After the meeting with him, Anna attempts to change her life, taking more seriously of her life. But the surrounding people in the industy would not listen. The Hollywood producer doesn't hear her plead to be taken seriously, and only desires her body, not the scrpit she wrote.
"Scarlet Diva" goes on like this. The film suffers from its repetitions of the heroine's agony, which looks often as if having no end. Though the camera brings the atomosphere of the place to life vividly (with digital video), the narrative is not particularly effective. We know from the beginning where the film would go, and it goes there.
But the strong point of the film does not lie there, but in Asia's convincing performance as a tormented heroine. You may feel this film looks self-indulgent, and that tendency should be admitted. But her good acting, very emotional and true to herself, raises the film to higher level, showing that she is more than a daughter of famous director, or a psuedo-Bond girl in Hollywood movies.
Many interesting names appear in addition to painter Joe Coleman. Vera Jemma (Italian actor Giuliano Gemma's daughter) as Anna's friend, and Daria Nicolodi (Asia's mother) as Anna's mother. The soundtrack music is done by John Hughes, the son of much famous director of the same name (of Molly Ringwald films), and the film is produced by Dario and Claudio Argento, the latter being Asia's uncle.
Movie Review: Not bad for a directorial debut.
Summary: 3 Stars
Scarlet Diva (Asia Argento, 2000)
Scarlet Diva is, in no small way, entertaining because it's a movie about its own creation. Yeah, it's Asia Argento's autobiography, etc. etc. But you know what's coming from the opening scene, and you're not disappointed.
Anna Batista (Argento) is a young, award-winning actress who wants to direct. The problem is, no one seems to want her to. A combination of her frustrated desires, a not-too-happy childhood, and her own (and others') relationship problems sends her down an ugly spiral of drugs and abuse, exacerbated by forces beyond her control, until she hits bottom and has that moment of epiphany you hear about all the time. All you need to do is connect Batista's "I want to direct" in the opening scene to Scarlet Diva being Argento's directorial debut, and you've got a complete picture (albeit a pretty boring one, since it's only got two dots).
The movie is better. Argento is a serviceable actress (though she's better when someone else is directing her; compare this to b.Monkey or New Rose Hotel, both from two years previous) with aspirations to greatness, and her rather astonishing ability to continually slag herself is almost scary. (We'll ignore the fact that this raises the obvious question of whether this is the version through the rose-colored glasses...) There are some pretty convincing breakdowns to be found here, some footage that's kind of difficult to watch. There's also a great deal that isn't (all of Asia Argento is as easy on the eyes as her face), and it's quite welcome. What lies between isn't bad, certainly-- most of the movie's problems (most of which are pace-related) are common to first-time directors. I found it haunting, even beautiful in a sort of depraved way. I seem to have liked it better than most, but that's not going to stop me from recommending it. ***
Movie Review: Asia Argento as the Scarlet Diva
Summary: 3 Stars
Shot in digital video, this is the semi-autobiographical movie of Asia Argento. The film is about an actress, Anna Batista, who is in a constant struggle with herself to be loved, to be accepted and to discover herself. The film is very raw in all aspects: it was shot on digital video, the characters play the worst of their stereotypes, they are monsters, the main character (the actress) seemed like a child, seeking everyone's affection and approval, and yet plunged herself in unhealthy behavior.
The film is a bit incoherent and in pieces, little snippets here and there, much like the actress' life. The film is less about the art of filmmaking and more like a conduit to allow both the main character and Asia Argento to expunge all those images and experiences that have been so haunting to them. The film is like an exorcism shrouded in symbolism.
I do wish she would have used less of her friends to film certain scenes or tested the talent first; some scenes seemed fake, unprofessional and forced. In conclusion, a pretty good this was an interesting film.
The DVD has an interview with Asia Argento explaining how the movie came to be, as well as the Director's Commentary during the movie. After watching the movie once, you should see the Director's Commentary which casts a whole new light on the events of the movie.