Broken Mirrors - Broken Minds by Maitland McDonagh

[Crystal Plumage]

Is this book worth my money?Or just too analytical?
I already have "Art of Darkness" and "Profondo Argento".Will this add something?
And before anyone says "uhmmm...it's out of print man..." I actually found a copy.Price is a bit on the high side though.That's why I ask.

[JeffCostello]

It's a bit on the analytical side but I would say it's very well written by people who know their stuff. A "profound" reading for Argento fans - I really enjoyed it.
Sorry, can't tell you what it does or doesn't ad to the other two books you mentioned.

How much is it ?

[Crystal Plumage]

I can get it for €45 from a Dutch online bookshop.Don't know if I'll buy it.Don't have much money and still so much stuff on the ever growing wishlist.

[JeffCostello]

That's quite a lot, especially if you're a bit short on money at the moment. It IS a really good book, though.

If you don't buy it and regret someday maybe I can borrow you my copy (could send it to you and you send it back when you're done - it's not that I use the book every day).

Maybe I should have done this as a private message - whatever, I'm learning.

[Paff]

Not a real fan of the book. Really overanalyzes a lot of things, and she definitely "plays favorites". As in, expect to read 10x as much on Deep Red and Tenebrae than Suspiria. And you'll wonder if he even directed Phenomena or not, based on how little she talks about it.

In other words, it's more on the symbolism of his films, but only from someone else's opinions. She could totally misinterpret Argento's intent, but since it's an independent opinion piece, she has that right.

I'd wait for a more reasonably priced copy.

[zombi3]

Funny. Maitland McDonagh was my professor for two film classes I took back in college. I also saw her on Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror and some Halloween special on TV about the 100 scariest movie moments or something. Glad to see she's doing well.

[sinister]

I agree with Paff, not really a big fan of this and it really does over-analyze things to an extreme level, to the point that a lot of it is just repetitive and meaningless beyond being a detailed (but highly personal) interpretation.

I found I could often read pages at a time and when I paused for a second couldn't remember anything useful at all about what I'd just read... if you're hoping that the book will add to your enjoyment and appreciation of the movies you could be disappointed.

[Erick H.]

I have it and quite enjoyed it,but it is rather scholarly,might be interesting to fans who care about symbolism in Argento's work.Thats pretty pricey,though.

[The Chaostar]

It is essential for any real Argento fan. It is not OVERanalytical. It analyses film as it should.
Nor does it indulge in personal interpretation of things. I mean, in any, any film school in the world they will teach you that an eye gouging in cinema symbolises castration....

The book added A WHOLE LOT to my enjoyment of Argento's work btw.

Phenomena is analysed in the book quite well. So is Suspiria. But Deep Red and Tenebre are so rich in context that is easy to understand why they need more work. The subtexts in Suspiria, however great the film might be, are few and far between.

You HAVE to like reading though.

After all, the richness of a book is meassured in words. Not pictures....

[Shannafey]

As most people say, it's too analytical, which makes it a chore to read!!

[x666x]

Really boring. Originated as a college essay or something. Stick with Art of Darkness.

[Crystal Plumage]

Originally Posted by x666x

Stick with Art of Darkness.

Which is easy to read!

Well I think I'll pass on this one.At least for that money.I think I will go for JeffCostello's offer.But perhaps I have to finish Art of Darkness first.I started in that one some time ago but it proves a very difficult read.

JeffCostello I'll PM you soon when I have some more time .

[sinister]

Originally Posted by The Chaostar

Nor does it indulge in personal interpretation of things.

Of course it does! Who elses interpretation of the movies do you think fill the pages of the book, except the author's?

[Paff]

Well, you should definitely get Broken Mirrors... at some point, but definitely don't overpay for it.

I do think it overanalyzes (not EVERYTHING has some deep symbolic meaning), and like others mentioned, you'll read a few pages and realize you have no idea if she's actually SAID anything. She cashes in as many 50-cent words as she can. Most of all, she actually takes a lot of the FUN out of watching Argento movies!

But that doesn't mean there is nothing worthwhile in the book. My favorite part is her 8-page dissection of the opening minutes of Deep Red. But don't take out a loan to buy the book...

[The Chaostar]

Originally Posted by sinister

Of course it does! Who elses interpretation of the movies do you think fill the pages of the book, except the author's?

Did you read the next sentence? Most of her analytical work in the book is based on things you can learn in one year only in any film analysis class, that´s what I meant. I mean, she uses it through her own personal filter but, truth is, there aren´t many ways to read a film after a level of studies. Not many interpretations can hold up then! Especially on the "highly personal" thing, I find you wrong. Most teachers in film schools would probably read the same things up to some extent, believe me. And I´m sure that Argento does not disagree with most things noted in the book. Being very yound then when I read it, it was amasing for me to re-discover his films, see them in this new light. It - dare I say - had even more fun. The most interesting part is that mechanisms that are noted in the book are very apparent on later films like Card Player, Nonhosonno and Stendhal as well.

Art of Darkness is a good read though. I much prefer it to Profondo Argento, having read most of these texts over and over again...


Oh and greetings from Berlin btw!