Amer (2009)
If there's one film that defines the term 'Style over substance' then Amer is that film.
Whilst intended as a homage to classic Italian cinema of the sixties and seventies this plot less piece of arthouse ploddery doesn't have a single original idea of it's own. Every shot, every musical cue, seems to have been lifted out of another better film entirely resulting in an often beautiful yet very uneven mess.
It doesn't help that Amer is practically a silent film either. At least where dialogue is concerned. Then again with no story line so to speak - the film solely depicts three key moments in a young woman's life - you don't really need dialogue to drive it along.
The films of Dario Argento and Mario Bava of course instantly spring to mind as do Goblin with the soundtrack, yet it's just not classic gialli that get's plundered. Jess Franco and his many zoom shots seem a particular favourite of directing duo Cattet and Forani, as does French erotic cinema of the 70's.
I felt the four short films as extras on the dvd worked much better than the main feature. In fact it made me feel that the main film was just three shorts thrown together to make a feature length film.
If you want a modern take on the classic 70's giallo then go with Berberian Sound Studio for the arthouse route or Eyes of Crystal for the more visceral shocks.
|