Product: La Sindrome di Stendhal
Rating: 4.0
Very underrated, but not perfect
Make no mistake, this really is a cruel film, and more emotionally involving than usually is the case with a Dario Argento film. It is "giallo" in style, however the plot points more to a psychological study, both of victim and of the psycho himself. Almost universally panned on it's release, it's a film that grows on you from each viewing. There are quite a few rapescenes in here that are truly harrowing, and they are to be commended for showing how degrading and brutal a rape can be. Also on the bonus side are some ravishing scenes from the Uffici-gallery, a nice (though not top) Morriconescore and an interesting character study from Kretschmann as the psycho. Asias performance is more of a mixed bag. Gritty and determined, yet vulnerable and on the verge of a nervous breakdown, she is sometimes impressive. However, she seldom convinces entirely, especially at being masculin. Other minuspoints are also: slow middlesection (the therapy sessions really go on forever), some embarrassing performances (could be the dubbing) and a few akward plot-turns. But judge for yourself!