Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

I think I've figured out the formula for a successful and effective giallo. One doesn't need a sensible plot, decent actors, or a talented director; all that's required is an eye for atmosphere. Oh yeah- several murders are kind of essential as well.

"Deep Red" is arguably the giallo at its peak, and is deservedly the film that many associate with Dario Argento's name. It came out in 1975, several years after others (including Argento himself) had been churning out boatloads of this specific type of Italian thriller, and it seems that Dario learned from his mistakes and those of his contemporaries.

Not only does "Deep Red" have the most comprehensible plot of any giallo (which doesn't mean it's devoid of flaws, by any stretch), it also exceeds most of its competition in terms of pacing, acting, and atmosphere. While some might argue that Argento's following film "Suspiria" was his masterpiece, there is just no doubt that "Deep Red" set the final standard for the entire giallo genre.

The plot, without giving too much away, deals with an English pianist named Marc Daly (played by David Hemmings). He witnesses the brutal murder of a psychic and spends the rest of the film trying to figure out the killer's identity. Helping him in his amateur investigation (while trying to get down his pants at least once every five minutes) is journalist Gianna Brezzi (played by Daria Nicolodi, Argento's then squeeze and mother of stunningly hot actress Asia Argento). Naturally, corpses start to pile up along the way, with the killer always staying one step ahead of our fearless wanna-be detectives.

What separates "Deep Red" from most other giallos is its relatively strong plot. While the film has its share of grotesqueries and eccentric characters, just about everything in the movie has its reason for being there. Other films of this ilk would throw in a spooky child's lullaby, a demented youngster's drawing of a stabbing, or a creaky house rumored to be haunted simply for the sake of shock; in "Deep Red" these things all serve an honest-to-gosh purpose. Call Guinness.

Other notable aspects of the film include a bizarre little red-headed girl who likes to impale lizards, a drunken friend of Marc's who has all sorts of dirty secrets, and a walled-up room that contains a very nasty chair. There are eerie dolls that appear out of nowhere and a few creative (if disgusting) death scenes. Fortunately, the murders are not excessive and overly frequent, but a giallo without homicides is like "Brokeback Mountain" without cowboys handling their lassoes.

While the pacing of "Deep Red" is pretty good, the movie seems a tad excessive in its two hours plus. The arm-wrestling scene between Marc and Gianna ranks far below the rubber penis on my personal scale of usefulness, and the "Gianna's car is a piece of poo" gag comes back a time or two too often. Still, compared to just about every other movie in its family, "Deep Red" (or "Profondo Rosso", as Italians and giallo sophisticates would call it) makes its point with concision.

It would be negligent of me to not point out the role of Goblin's music in this particular film. This was the first Argento project for which they composed the score (alongside some dude named Giorgio Gaslini), and while their music for "Suspiria" borders on "hurry honey, grab the Xanax", the "Deep Red" soundtrack is certainly an unnerving collection of songs. Italy may have only produced one prog-rock band (that I know of, at least), but damn, these guys could write a skin-crawlingly good composition.

"Deep Red" is available in all sorts of versions, some with inexplicable titles ("The Hatchet Murders"? Looks hauntingly similar to a meat cleaver to me). The uncut version is the one you'll want to watch, but be forewarned: unlike many giallos, this one didn't earn its R rating because of sleazy sex scenes. Violence and mystery are the baited hooks of this here film, so you'll have to consult Jess Franco if you're wanting to see the Paps of Anu.

If you've never seen a giallo and are even remotely interested in meeting one, go for this baby first. It has all the gadgets employed by others (red herrings to throw you off, freaky people and places to upset you throughout the night), but is worlds more refined than your average 70's spaghetti splatter platter. Play close enough attention early on and Argento basically gives you the answer.


Other giallos were investigating:

Suspiria http://www.epinions.com/content_182147059332

The Bloodstained Shadow http://www.epinions.com/content_239821491844

The House With Laughing Windows http://www.epinions.com/content_182927789700

Who Saw Her Die? http://www.epinions.com/content_235251601028


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD