In Dario Argento's "TRAUMA", Piper Laurie's performance as a highly eccentric medium is about the only thing that stands out in this tired 'slasher' flick.
Dario Argento has proven with "TRAUMA" that he is entering his 'twilight' years as a Director with this flimsy vehicle that couldn't move any faster even if a fire was lit under it. It is perhaps his first foray into the Americanized 'slasher' genre as we know it, which is okay, but apparently someone forgot to tell him that the year was 1993 and that tactics used for slasher films that heavily populated the 80's was not cool anymore.
The second mistake Dario Argento is guilty of is casting his daughter, Asia Argento as the main lead in "TRAUMA". Not only is she highly incapable as an 'actress', but she takes away all credibility contained within the 'story-line' every time she appears on-screen. A good example would be the scene where she intends on committing suicide by jumping off a bridge and is 'coaxed' back over the railing by a young man named David (portrayed here by Christopher Rydell). She injects no authenticity or plausible acting in this scene alone that it is rather excruciating trying to make sense of her abilities as an actress.
The film's premise is typical of a Dario Argento thriller. We have a serial killer on the loose who makes a nuisance out of him/herself by cutting off the heads of his/her victims. The first victim is an African-American chiropractor (again, here we have a prime example of cliches contained in 80's slasher films - the first victim happens to be of African-American descent) who is murdered in her office by a black ski-mask clad psychopath. Asia Argento is a runaway teen who is returned to her parents (portrayed here by Piper Laurie and Dominique Serrand) by some sort of truant officer. Her parents are practicing mediums who make a business out of 'speaking to the beyond'. Actually, it appears in this movie that Piper Laurie handles the 'speaking to the beyond' part while her husband tends to the books. Upon the return to her parents, a seance is conducted that very night which results in the brutal murders of both her parents during a violent thunderstorm. Asia chases her parents outside in the rain, only to find their decapitated bodies lying on the grass.
Who is the killer? Unlike Dario's earlier films such as "PROFONDO ROSSO" and "TENEBRE" where the killer is revealed at the end and his/her motives satisfy the viewer once you look back at all the pieces that finally fit the complex puzzle, the motive for all the murders in this movie is highly preposterous and quite ridiculous.
All of Dario's trademarks from his earlier films are nowhere to be found in "TRAUMA". There really aren't any scenes displaying exceptional camera-work and there is not enough suspense built into the plot as it drags along quite slowly. Piper Laurie is outstanding as she gives a performance reminiscent to that of her turn as Mrs White in "CARRIE". Other than the scene where a tree branch brushes against a window during a storm, there really are no other thrills contained in this yawn-fest to keep you interested.
"TRAUMA" is a very sorry and boring experience that comes as a huge disappointment given that Dario Argento directed this garbage. Asia Argento being cast as the lead role wasn't much help either.
I say, avoid this one folks.
My Grade: F
Dario Argento has proven with "TRAUMA" that he is entering his 'twilight' years as a Director with this flimsy vehicle that couldn't move any faster even if a fire was lit under it. It is perhaps his first foray into the Americanized 'slasher' genre as we know it, which is okay, but apparently someone forgot to tell him that the year was 1993 and that tactics used for slasher films that heavily populated the 80's was not cool anymore.
The second mistake Dario Argento is guilty of is casting his daughter, Asia Argento as the main lead in "TRAUMA". Not only is she highly incapable as an 'actress', but she takes away all credibility contained within the 'story-line' every time she appears on-screen. A good example would be the scene where she intends on committing suicide by jumping off a bridge and is 'coaxed' back over the railing by a young man named David (portrayed here by Christopher Rydell). She injects no authenticity or plausible acting in this scene alone that it is rather excruciating trying to make sense of her abilities as an actress.
The film's premise is typical of a Dario Argento thriller. We have a serial killer on the loose who makes a nuisance out of him/herself by cutting off the heads of his/her victims. The first victim is an African-American chiropractor (again, here we have a prime example of cliches contained in 80's slasher films - the first victim happens to be of African-American descent) who is murdered in her office by a black ski-mask clad psychopath. Asia Argento is a runaway teen who is returned to her parents (portrayed here by Piper Laurie and Dominique Serrand) by some sort of truant officer. Her parents are practicing mediums who make a business out of 'speaking to the beyond'. Actually, it appears in this movie that Piper Laurie handles the 'speaking to the beyond' part while her husband tends to the books. Upon the return to her parents, a seance is conducted that very night which results in the brutal murders of both her parents during a violent thunderstorm. Asia chases her parents outside in the rain, only to find their decapitated bodies lying on the grass.
Who is the killer? Unlike Dario's earlier films such as "PROFONDO ROSSO" and "TENEBRE" where the killer is revealed at the end and his/her motives satisfy the viewer once you look back at all the pieces that finally fit the complex puzzle, the motive for all the murders in this movie is highly preposterous and quite ridiculous.
All of Dario's trademarks from his earlier films are nowhere to be found in "TRAUMA". There really aren't any scenes displaying exceptional camera-work and there is not enough suspense built into the plot as it drags along quite slowly. Piper Laurie is outstanding as she gives a performance reminiscent to that of her turn as Mrs White in "CARRIE". Other than the scene where a tree branch brushes against a window during a storm, there really are no other thrills contained in this yawn-fest to keep you interested.
"TRAUMA" is a very sorry and boring experience that comes as a huge disappointment given that Dario Argento directed this garbage. Asia Argento being cast as the lead role wasn't much help either.
I say, avoid this one folks.
My Grade: F