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SuspiriaDirector: Dario Argento Rating: R (18+) 95 mins (feature only) Umbrella While not the best Dario Argento film (that honour goes to 1970's 'The Bird With The Crystal Plumage', and it's about time someone released that in Australia, thank you very much), 'Suspiria' (1977) is a good and in some ways quintessential example of his oeuvre. It contains all of the necessary Argento ingredients: young woman in danger, dramatically splendid setting, thumping heavy-metal soundtrack, and a mystery which hangs upon a cryptic clue. In this case the young woman is played by American actor Jessica Harper, and the splendid setting is a dancing school in Germany. Like Jennifer Connelly's character in Argento's 'Phenomena', new student Suzy must not only adapt to her (creepy) surroundings but battle the supernatural danger which threatens her. Her teachers are unnervingly persuasive, her fellow students have a horrible habit of disappearing mysteriously, insect infestations are common and rumours of witchcraft abound. And you thought your first day of high school was bad. 'Suspiria' contains some of Argento's most - justly - famous scenes. There's the dead body falling through the stained glass ceiling, and the shot where Argento cranks the camera up sky-high and lets gravity take care of the rest. While the body count's not as high as 'Tenebrae' and the murders not as bloody as 'Inferno', 'Suspiria' still chalks up a good amount of mayhem and gore. The plot is riddled with the usual Argento absurdities, but the momentum (much like the camera in the aforementioned scene) is so fast you'll hardly notice. Harper and her fellow actors all do fine jobs, but - as usual in Argento's films - the setting is the real star. The school is unbelievably, eerily beautiful; it's all tight Art Nouveau curves and glowing colours. It's very easy to imagine uncanny things happening there. Argento's visual sense is his one unerring faculty, and it's displayed to advantage here. Goblin again collaborate with Argento on the score, and it's an absolute cracker: pounding and driven, it contributes hugely to the film's pace and escalating atmosphere of unease. This release marks the 25th anniversary of 'Suspiria', and the 2-DVD set includes lots of supplemental material. There's the 'Eye For Horror' documentary (again! Umbrella stick it on all of their Argento DVDs), as well as an interesting 'Suspiria' documentary and an interview with the maestro himself. Apparently, an American remake of the film is in the works: without Argento's hand on the helm, it will almost certainly be execrable. This is your chance to see the original so you can mock the new one with authority.  |
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