Review of Giallo? (2009) by Carl M — 31 Jan 2013

Once considered the Master of Italian Horror, Dario Argento has since slipped into a long downward spiral of uninspired thrillers that lack the director's particular flare for the theatrical. GIALLO is no different, just another watered-down attempt to rekindle a failing career.

Adrien Brody stars as Inspector Enzo Avolfi, an obsessed detective that has been charged with bringing in a sadistic serial killer who has recently kidnapped his latest victim. Each of the girls have been beautiful models and actresses, leading Avolfi to believe that his killer may have some form of physical deformity, but he will have to rely on the help of the victim's sister to find the man they call 'Yellow.

' Were it simply up to the filming and acting, GIALLO may have passed as another routine (though underwhelming) thriller, however the poor plot construction is impossible to ignore. Avolfi may as well not have been in the film at all, when the real detective work is left to Emmanuelle Seigner as Linda.

Brody and Seigner appear to be just as unimpressed with the script as the audience, with absolutely no range in emotion as they easily uncover the inept clues. Argento throws in a splash of blood but no sense of style whatsoever.

It all leads up to the director's most anti-climactic ending ever, which is sure to enrage those viewers who sat by long enough to give the film a chance.