Product: La Sindrome di Stendhal
Rating: 3.0
Dark, Disturbing Argento Thriller
"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.