Review of Phantom of the Paradise (1974) by Jeff S — 22 Dec 2009
"Can't you feel the vibes in your own house? Bad, sport - real bad. The karma's so think around here you need an aqualung to breathe!".
It's like the ultimate cake that just doesn't hold together, but you don't care. Pilfer the best ingredients from a handful of horror classics (Dorian Gray, Phantom of the Opera, Faust), mix with a genuinely infectious pop score courtesy of Paul Williams. And then stick Paul Williams into the movie in a deliciously slimy role. Add a dash of Gerrit Graham in a fermented parody of a glam rock star. And then let Brian De Palma go nuts with the preparation: split screen, silent movie techniques, etc. By the time Phantom reaches the climax, the movie feels a bit exhausting, but it runs through styles and ideas with such furious abandon that you can't help but admire it.
This review of Phantom of the Paradise (1974) was written by Jeff S on 22 Dec 2009.
Phantom of the Paradise has generally received positive reviews.
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