RyanPC
04-11-2004, 04:32 PM
Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971) *** I'm still not sure whether or not my review for this film is going to be accurate, considering I just watched this yesterday via a download with horrible AV quality. I don't think I appreciated it as much as I would have if it had come from a DVD quality presentation. However, my opinions probably wouldn't change much because I got the gist of the film.
This film is the final installment of what would be Dario Argento's "animal trilogy," a series of giallos (Italian thrillers) that consists of The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, The Cat O'Nine Tails, and Four Flies on Grey Velvet. I haven't seen either of the two previous films, but it doesn't matter because they aren't connected in any other way besides the fact that their titles all have animals in them.
Four Flies concerns a musician named Roberto Tobias, who notices a mysterious man following him around. When confronting the man about why he's following him, Roberto accidentally kills him. However, there is a figure wearing a creepy mask, shrouded in the darkness with a camera, who begins taking pictures of Roberto murdering the man. This other person sneaks into Roberto's house at night and leaves the photographs for him to find. Then, Roberto finds his friends are being murdered one by one, presumably by the same person who left the pictures. This causes problems between young Roberto and his wife Nina, who decides to leave with or without her husband. Roberto, of course, wants to stay behind in order to catch the killer. Who is this creepy person and why does he want to get Roberto into trouble?
It would be a sin for me to reveal anymore than what's written above. While the plot may sound good on paper, unfortunately the film is rather slow. If you thought Argento's Deep Red was slow, this movie will kill you. Fortunately for people who are smart enough to stick around, Argento plots his film in a way so that enough things happen throughout to keep any giallo fan interested.
For those expecting a film with the style and stunning photography of Suspiria, look elsewhere. I'm sorry to say it, but this doesn't even feel like an Argento movie. I'm probably saying that because I'm only familiar with the director's later work and I still haven't seen Bird or Cat, but it's just my opinion. Four Flies is relatively bloodless as well, so people looking for gore will no doubt be bored.
However, there are many great things about this film. The cinematography isn't as good as in Argento's later efforts, but it still has a certain charm that giallo fans will recognize. The film also has a great score by the master, Ennio Morricone, and while there isn't as much of it throughout the film as one would expect or hope, it's enjoyable nonetheless. The acting is fairly solid as well, even if the character of Roberto isn't very likeable (one yearns for David Hemmings!). And the ending is a classic- one of the most memorable Argento moments!
I think that anyone interested in seeing more of Argento's work should seek this film out, especially since it's not out on DVD yet. However, if you're just starting out with Argento, I don't recommend you see this film first- check out Deep Red or Suspiria instead. Overall though, this makes for a very exciting experience, since the film is so rare.
Oh and did I mention this film has the coolest title ever?
This film is the final installment of what would be Dario Argento's "animal trilogy," a series of giallos (Italian thrillers) that consists of The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, The Cat O'Nine Tails, and Four Flies on Grey Velvet. I haven't seen either of the two previous films, but it doesn't matter because they aren't connected in any other way besides the fact that their titles all have animals in them.
Four Flies concerns a musician named Roberto Tobias, who notices a mysterious man following him around. When confronting the man about why he's following him, Roberto accidentally kills him. However, there is a figure wearing a creepy mask, shrouded in the darkness with a camera, who begins taking pictures of Roberto murdering the man. This other person sneaks into Roberto's house at night and leaves the photographs for him to find. Then, Roberto finds his friends are being murdered one by one, presumably by the same person who left the pictures. This causes problems between young Roberto and his wife Nina, who decides to leave with or without her husband. Roberto, of course, wants to stay behind in order to catch the killer. Who is this creepy person and why does he want to get Roberto into trouble?
It would be a sin for me to reveal anymore than what's written above. While the plot may sound good on paper, unfortunately the film is rather slow. If you thought Argento's Deep Red was slow, this movie will kill you. Fortunately for people who are smart enough to stick around, Argento plots his film in a way so that enough things happen throughout to keep any giallo fan interested.
For those expecting a film with the style and stunning photography of Suspiria, look elsewhere. I'm sorry to say it, but this doesn't even feel like an Argento movie. I'm probably saying that because I'm only familiar with the director's later work and I still haven't seen Bird or Cat, but it's just my opinion. Four Flies is relatively bloodless as well, so people looking for gore will no doubt be bored.
However, there are many great things about this film. The cinematography isn't as good as in Argento's later efforts, but it still has a certain charm that giallo fans will recognize. The film also has a great score by the master, Ennio Morricone, and while there isn't as much of it throughout the film as one would expect or hope, it's enjoyable nonetheless. The acting is fairly solid as well, even if the character of Roberto isn't very likeable (one yearns for David Hemmings!). And the ending is a classic- one of the most memorable Argento moments!
I think that anyone interested in seeing more of Argento's work should seek this film out, especially since it's not out on DVD yet. However, if you're just starting out with Argento, I don't recommend you see this film first- check out Deep Red or Suspiria instead. Overall though, this makes for a very exciting experience, since the film is so rare.
Oh and did I mention this film has the coolest title ever?