The Stendhal Syndrome (2-Disc Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of The Stendhal Syndrome (2-Disc Special Edition)
Movie Review: Dark, Disturbing Argento Thriller
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Stendhal Syndrome" is Dario Argento's hardest movie to watch. The entire movie runs darker and deeper than his better work and leaves the viewers feeling a little, well... sick. Asia Argento is beautiful but totally unbelievable as a cop on the track of a serial rapist. She's totally set up to be victimized and victimized she is. In brutal, graphic fashion. What makes these rape scenes even harder to watch is the knowledge that Dario Argento is directing his own daughter.
There are some nice visuals as Asia falls into a painting underwater to share a smooch with an odd-looking fish, and when she steps into a painting of a waterfall. In another scene, a nasty piece of graffiti rips itself from the wall. However, not enough is done with Asia's "Stendhal Syndrome"; it just doesn't come as much into play as I would have liked.
The plot becomes convoluted and doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and while this is to be expected from an Argento film, it's a little more noticable seeing as how the movie plays more straightforward than his more stylish ventures (Suspiria, Deep Red, Tenebrae).
The Troma features are ok on the DVD, including an interview with Dario Argento about Italian horror and a bunch of Troma previews. The picture is a little dark and grainy, making me wish for the crystal-clear clarity of DVD's like "Suspira".
"The Stendhal Syndrome" is not one of Dario's best work, but it's worth seeing if you're a fan. Just be warned: it's not easy to watch.
Movie Review: Stripped down but different Argento still good
Summary: 4 Stars
Assistant Inspector Anna Manni is sent from Rome to Florence on an assignment to capture a serial rapist who has raped 15 women and killed the last two. While at the Uffizi Gallery, the paintings have a weird effect on her, she feels herself being immersed in one of them, and collapses. However, the rapist assaults her, then rapes and kills another woman in front of her. The incident leaves Anna traumatized, with feelings of self-despite, insecurity, and pent-up aggression.The kindly psychologist assigned to her describes the title condition to her in describing what Stendhal (the pen-name of psychological novelist Marie-Henri Beyle) felt at an art musuem: "My feeling is so profound that is borders on pity. All this speaks clearly to my soul. Oh, if only I could forget it." Symptoms also include a cold sweat, nausea, anxiety, hallucinations, severe depression, and personality changes.
She returns to her home in Viterbo to recuperate from her ordeal, but the rapist tracks her down and assaults her once again. Anna deals with him in a very brutal scene, but hey, he deserved it. But has he really been defeated? And will Anna become her old self?
The Stendhal Syndrome is different from Argento's usual fare in that there are no eerie glaring backwash of red, blue, or green, or horror gore. And leave it to Dario Argento to subject his own daughter to some really nasty ordeals, even if it is only acted out. Asia's pretty in a more natural way instead of the artificial movie bimbos are. She's more a dazed, insecure victim here, but she can be tough. Argento's method of exploring human psychology and concepts (be they architecture or alchemy in Inferno, insects in Phenomena, or witchcraft in Suspiria) carry on in this movie--here, he explores the power that art can have on people. No, Goblin or Keith Emerson do not do the music here, but there's an ongoing haunting theme, with a female vocalist singing the notes. Not on the same level as his classic stuff, but still worth it.
Movie Review: intoxicating horror,talking pantings, asia goes crazy
Summary: 4 Stars
this will make you wonder about killers souls,can they enter peoples bodys after they die, why do normal people suddenly go crazy, a killing spree ...!!! this movie goes there.Movie Review: Slow and pointless
Summary: 2 Stars
Great idea--strange reactions to art--is tossed aside and scene after scene is set up yet goes nowhere. (Why does she return home? Why does she have to be a cop? She never shows up at the station!) Poorly edited with transitions so bad, title cards were added so you know where you are -- Rome, etc. Interesting conclusion, yet really, it's a mess so skip it.Movie Review: Vastly underrated
Summary: 4 Stars
It still astonishes me how often this film seems to get slated. From the first time I saw it, I have always rated it among Argento's best. A popular train of current thought seems to welcome Nohosonno as return to form since his last major triumph, OPERA. Apart from the fact that I think these two films are often overrated (they are still great films), this does a grave injustice to Stendhal. But then again, I also quite like Phantom of the Opera, must be the Asia factor! (rightly acknowledged by most as one of Argento's weaker efforts; however, given his pedigree, this is not as bad as it would for most).The Troma release is unusual in that the voluminous extras tend to clash with the main feature. You can easily ignore these if they are not to your taste. I bought the special edition of Smow White (largely due to the Suspiria connection), and have still to watch any of the 7 hours (or whatever) of bonus materials.
The picture quality does seem quite washed out, but having not seen the French DVD or any projected version, I don't know how much of this is directorial intent. It fits quite nicely to the atmosphere of the film / Morricone's music.
I hope this film earns greater recognition as the years progress. It may also come to be seen to as the prologue to the new trinity of giallo that Argento is working on. His new film, I seem to remember reading somewhere, also involves Asia playing a policewoman.