Review of Maniac (1980) by Tico P — 08 Dec 2010

Maniac is an essential film for any horror film buff, interested in the era of the so called Video Nasty. It almost got an X rating, but was released unrated. It was directed by William Lustig, staring Joe Spinnel and Caroline Munroe. Maniac is so much fun to watch, so I'll be careful not to give it all away, but will probably get carried away again, so I have to write the usual warning below.

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN PLOT SPOILERS. SKIP READING IF IN DOUBT AND CONTINUE UNDER THE LINE BELOW.

Plot: Frank Zito is a schizophrenic living in a cheap apartment down town New York. Frank is also a serial murderer, spending most of his precious time stalking women/prostitutes and daydreaming about his deceased mother.

Spending an afternoon outside in the city one day, Frank notices a beautiful woman taking his picture. He then observes a name tag on her handbag and tracks her down. Frank politely introduces himself the next day and the two start dating. Anna is a successful fashion photographer. Frank takes quite an interest in Anna, rather than stalking her being quite a gentleman.

Frank visits Anna at a photo shoot taking interest in her work, stealing one of her models jewels. His actions are a simple excuse for the purpose of returning the jewel at the comfort of the models apartment. Frank kidnaps the model and takes her back to his place.

Gagged and trapped in his apartment reveals a most horrifying fate. Frank has a peculiar hobby and collection of mannequins he meticulously dresses in women's skins and scalps. He is a very delusional man with a very odd habit of sleeping with the mannequins on a daily basis. Horrified by the surrounding of mannequins and trophies, the model begs for her life. Franks comforts the model assuring "I'm not going to kill you; I'm going to keep you". She is then stabbed, scalped and dismembered.

I AM NOT GIVING AWAY ANYMORE OF THE PLOT. THE REST IS UP TO YOU.

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Maniac is a sick twisted tale of a schizophrenic madman, psychologically deteriorating. It is full of bleak humor and decent acting. Maniac was made on a modest budget of 500.000 dollars and it does look above average for a genre film from the 1980's. A bit of shaky hand held camera sets a fine atmosphere of unease. The aerial shots of Manhattan were leftovers from director Argento's cutting room floor.

The film is often considered a splatter film by some, a slasher by others. I'd have to agree with both. Special effects guru Tom Savini, worked on the convincing make up effects and even has a small cameo in the film, I refuse to reveal as most reviews do. Tom Savini is a Vietnam Veteran still in the business today, and never fails to impress with his skills. Well respected as a true artist, Savini even has a Special Effects Make-Up School in Pennsylvania. He had been in countless films in cameo roles, FROM DUSK TO DAWN, MACHETE, and even a brief appearance in ZACK & MIRI MAKE A PORNO.

Maniac in pretty much in the vein of the 1974 classic DERANGED directed by Alan Ormsby. Both have been heavily influenced by the true case of the notorious grave robber ED GEIN. Both films protagonists (in this case maybe antagonist) have mother complexions, and also craft fashionable body suits made of human flesh, just like the real ED GEIN.

Actor Joe Spinell was truly devoted to this film project, believing this would be his masterpiece. He was involved in the scriptwriting and isolated himself from the outside world to get into character. There is so much to say about Mr. Spinell. He worked for director Coppola, and was even the Godfather as a hit man.

His story is an extra bonus on the excellent double DVD released by Blue Underground. The extra is called THE JOE SPINELL STORY, and is a fascinating 80 minute documentary.

Mr. Spinell had a sequel in the works that never was made due to his early death. But a trailer was made as "Mr. Robbie, Maniac 2" and is on the DVD as an extra. The funniest part of the disc is being re mastered in THX sound.

Here's what John Stanley had to say in his Creatures Features book:

"The movie sinks pretty low in its exploitation of schizophrenic, psychopathic bloodletting; it is so obsessed with scenes of death that director William Lustig doesn't even bother to titillate us with nudity when he has the ample opportunity".

Maniac is a very graphic film that will please the gore hounds in the mood for something quite unusual and original. Director Lustig is of course in charge of the DVD company Blue Undergroud, and directed VIGILANTE and MANIAC COP.

I wouldn't recommend putting on Maniac if you've just been dumped. But on second thoughts it could be therapeutic if your a male suffering a dreadful heart ache...