Opera (1988)

A young opera singer is thrust into the star role of "MacBeth" when the original lead singer is accidentally run over by a car after a rehearsal for the show. Performing in the play, newcomer Betty (Cristina Marsillach) does wonderfully and is labeled an upcoming star in the world of opera. Everything is looking good for the young singer until a certain obsessed individual starts tying her up, taping pins under her eyes and forcing her to "watch" as he slices and dices her friends and co-workers. Boy, fame's a bitch huh?

While I've never enjoyed "Opera" as much as his earlier films, it is, to be sure, a pure Argento film. Typically lauded as one of the maestro's best works, I almost consider this one as "Argento On Steroids" as here he seems to be amping up all the attributes that he is known for as a filmmaker, and while this includes the good, it unfortunately includes the bad aspects of his film making as well.

As far as the "good" goes, the area in which "Opera" seems amped up the most is in the overall viciousness of the violence. No director in the history of film can set up a murder sequence like Argento, and here the "'art' of murder is well on display. The first murder sequence, as Betty's admirer makes himself known by tying her up and slaying her would be lover, is just as viscous as it gets. It's almost like Argento is saying "I ain't fucking around, pardners", and to be sure, he isn't. The audience is also treated to a tracheotomy by scissors, a rather nifty "bullet through the keyhole and into the eye" sequence, and assorted stabbings aplenty. Unfortunately, many of the killings are punctuated with a horrible heavy metal soundtrack that seems completely out of place and does not gel in sequence with many of the kills. I understand the energy that Argento was going for, but it just doesn't work. Still, the kill scenes are viscous as all get out, with that first kill sequence being the most memorable.

Another plus here, this is an Argento film remember, is the cinematography. Argento's camera prowls all over the fucking place, be it via through a raven's viewpoint,the eyes of the killer etc. The opera house is also perfect for Argento's camera to stalk around in, whether it's through the back stairways or up the high domed ceilings, "Opera" truly is a visionary tour de force. There are also some nifty flashback scenes, as the camera prowls along spiral staircases, which, along with the (non-metal) music took me back to "Deep Red" as we get a glimpse into the killer's past/mind. Oh, and in my own psychiatric evaluation, this here's one fucked up sonofabitch.

Ah, but for all the good stuff, there is quite a bit of badness to be had here. While typically applauded by the majority of Argento fans as one of his best films, there has always been something about this one that just feels, well, kinda "off". Argento's film's have never been noted for being "logical" in the strict sense of the word and that holds true here. In previous films I would just say that the lack of common sense by Argento was just "surrealism", but here I'll just say it's some rather stupid shit that's on display. Ever see a guy get an eye pecked out by a raven and walk around as if nothing happened? No? Well, I'm sure all of you would, after seeing your would be lover gutted before your eyes would choose to walk alone around the city streets at night, right? And calling the cops would definitely would be the last thing you would do, agreed? Aargh. The acting is also pretty bad, and the rather atrocious dub track does not help matters. Through in a bunch of whiny, helpless characters (especially the lead as Betty) and you'll be rooting for the killer, trust me.

In summary, "Opera" is well worth watching for fans of Argento and Italian genre in general. It is, in Argento's own words, a purposefully cold and obsessive film, and that is quite evident in the characters and overall look and feel of the movie. It's just been a film that I've never really got around to appreciating fully as the bad just seems to outweigh the good. But that's my own opinion. Typically considered by fans to be Argento's last "great" film before he would hit a fifteen year skid into overall suckiness, it is worth checking out, all dumb shit aside.