Giallo

The title makes this film seem like it will be a tribute to the genre of films the director excelled at over three decades, but it's really only called Giallo because Dario Argento is so tired of making gialli that he said, "Another one? Just call it Giallo. I can't be bothered to give a shit anymore. Nobody liked Mother of Tears, so fuck it, who cares?"

Is Dario Argento's days over? Some years ago there was very let down Jennifer and now Giallo, a totally out of tension story. Everything was extented too far and there was no sense of climax in the end. Siegner was okay, but time to time she was out of place, a numb. Or was it out of directing?

Being an Argento fan in the 21st century is a challenging mix of psychological conditions. I could try to argue that there are some interesting ideas in this awkward mess & that lazy, uninspired Argento is still better with a camera than most directors working in the genre. Although considering the material on display here, that would just sound way too desperate & defensive. Somehow the brief hints of missed potential make it even worse for me.

(Viewed on 12/11/10): It would be temping to argue that Argento's creative decline after the mid 80's resembled the stock market crash of 1929, but there was no recovery. Since Opera, or Phenomena, it has been a slow and steady decline into complete oblivion. Giallo is a misleading title for this film as it has none of the aesthetic appeal of the best giallos or their neurotic temperament. It's an ineptly made thriller with a silly villlain (Brody in bizarre makeup) and a cheap plot.

"Don't look at the walls"...lol The excessive gore I felt was a drawback here (the hammer sequence eg). I suppose there's something to be said for it embodying/underscoring the isolation of both detective and perp, but I did find it after a while more repulsive than horrifying. Great-looking film anyway, when it wasn't making you sick (my hat's off to the DP), and excellent music as well. Btw Giallo's (double) escape seemed about as plausible as Avolfi getting away with his murder...

28.500

I haven't watched Argento's classics, but with his reputation, Giallo can't hardly live up to his best ones. I like Brody in the role of the detective, but in his second role as the killer (who strangely looks to be Rambo's long lost retarded twin brother)... not so much. All in all a quite boring bad guy. Importantly, I liked the clues; simple, easy to grasp and believable. There were no holes in the plot regarding where they went or who they talked to. The basis of every good detective story.

Giallo has some good tension, but overall it felt watered-down compared to most of Argento's other films.

Dear Mr.Argento, please stop making movies. I love all your suspense stuff from the 70's and 80's especially Suspiria and Deep Red, but I think you've unlearnt everything that's important to make a thrilling or at least entertaining movie. Retire and enjoy the laurels from olden times

Everyone still watches Argento movies because of two or three good ones that he made in his youth. I love Suspiria too, but face it, he's spent most of his career sucking. Giallo is terrible. The script is ridiculous. The acting is embarrassing. The villain is just pathetic.