It seems that anyone who now takes the time to comment on an Argento film inevitably gets bogged down with trying to rationalise what their favourite giallo of his is; and how one film succeeded in one way but completely failed in another.
All too often it is heard "Wow, Tenebrae; such an amazing film", only to hear in the next 10 minutes by somebody else - "Oh no, Tenebrae; it's just an excuse to show-case gore and little else". I'm not here to try and make a list of what I do or do not like about Argento...I'll save that for all the fan-boys out there.
Setting all of this aside, 'Bird with the Crystal Plumage' is a remarkably successful film: chilling, suspenseful, stylish - it is certainly promising for most horror fans, especially those who are partial to the giallo genre. There isn't that much to fault here. Argento's pacing of both plot and character development is superb and places the audience in the position of trying to work out, quite extensively, who the killer is.
The final 10 minutes of the film are great; literally reaching a crescendo of violence, confusion, and anxiety for both viewer and protagonist alike. The final plot twist does seem perhaps a little bit far-fetched and strung-out but is nevertheless justified by what stood before it.
Visually stunning, 'Bird' obviously formed a sturdy foundation for the visual style and content that would be so prominent in later films such as 'Tenebrae': mouth-watering interiors and the haunting fog-ridden streets of Italy. Despite the serious and eerie tones featured throughout the film there are also mild comic moments which are a nice touch.
Overall, this is a worthy film and a great giallo. I refuse to place it in a hierarchy with some of Argento's other works but to close, it is a fulfilling film to watch with some great cinematography and not as "patchy" as perhaps some have made out. Engrossing stuff.
All too often it is heard "Wow, Tenebrae; such an amazing film", only to hear in the next 10 minutes by somebody else - "Oh no, Tenebrae; it's just an excuse to show-case gore and little else". I'm not here to try and make a list of what I do or do not like about Argento...I'll save that for all the fan-boys out there.
Setting all of this aside, 'Bird with the Crystal Plumage' is a remarkably successful film: chilling, suspenseful, stylish - it is certainly promising for most horror fans, especially those who are partial to the giallo genre. There isn't that much to fault here. Argento's pacing of both plot and character development is superb and places the audience in the position of trying to work out, quite extensively, who the killer is.
The final 10 minutes of the film are great; literally reaching a crescendo of violence, confusion, and anxiety for both viewer and protagonist alike. The final plot twist does seem perhaps a little bit far-fetched and strung-out but is nevertheless justified by what stood before it.
Visually stunning, 'Bird' obviously formed a sturdy foundation for the visual style and content that would be so prominent in later films such as 'Tenebrae': mouth-watering interiors and the haunting fog-ridden streets of Italy. Despite the serious and eerie tones featured throughout the film there are also mild comic moments which are a nice touch.
Overall, this is a worthy film and a great giallo. I refuse to place it in a hierarchy with some of Argento's other works but to close, it is a fulfilling film to watch with some great cinematography and not as "patchy" as perhaps some have made out. Engrossing stuff.