Review of Opera (1987) by Karine D — 21 Mar 2007
For some people, Italian horror maestro Dario Argento reached his peak with Deep Red, the picture that best balances his narrative approach with his morbid and surrealistic style. For others, his climax came with Suspiria, his most pure stylistic indulgence. For me, Argento did his best work a decade later, in Opera,, the story of young Betty (Christina Marsillach), a would-be Opera star who gets her big break when the lead actress abandons the show.
Betty quickly learns, however, that her most dedicated fan is a danger to the people around her, and to her own sanity.
Opera is largely a collection of stylistic indulgences, with just enough plot to keep the pieces tied together, but what carries it all is Marsillach as Betty. The film is about a man who wants nothing but to watch Betty, and, after awhile, the viewer too wants nothing more than to gaze at her a little longer.
In the end, when Betty rejects society and chooses to live alone, each viewer knows that now Betty belongs to no one else, and, even if that is not enough, it is better than nothing.
This review of Opera (1987) was written by Karine D on 21 Mar 2007.
Opera has generally received positive reviews.
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