Review of Gothic (1987) by Camden N — 02 Feb 2009

Visually dazzling, this film is almost like what the result would be if Mario Bava had directed a film written by Luis Bunuel. That said, it's often a little too goofy for its own good, to the effect that many stunning moments tend to lose some of their poignancy. Likewise, the screenplay is all over the place and never really forms a satisfying whole.

Still, I'd recommend it. It's not as good as The Devils or Altered States, but it's filled with breathtaking imagery that you'll swore came straight from your dreams (or nightmares).

There are also many aspects that remind me of Ingmar Bergman's Hour of the Wolf, such as the homosexual repression and the concept of an artist's inner demons becoming physically manifested. The two films would certainly make an interesting double feature.