TENEBRE
"Tenebre is about human perversion and its affect on society."
IMDB.com Rating: 7.2 out of 10
Availability: In print, and usually pretty pricey.
Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn_1eqMrVKs
OH SHIT! Moment: Veronica Lario getting her arm chopped off unexpectedly.
Beverage: A Red Death and Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Ingredients:
1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
1/2 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz sloe gin
1/2 oz lime juice
orange juice
Pour all ingredients (except orange juice) into an ice-filled Collins glass. Fill with orange juice, and serve.
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. . .Or 'Tenebrae'. It's whatever. Both spellings are applicable; but regardless of how you spell it, it's the name of the movie we're going to watch tonight.
Shortly after the release of his newest violent murder/mystery, 'Tenebrae', Anthony Franciosa's Peter Neal finds himself in Rome for a promotional tour with his literary agent, Bullmer (played by horror regular, John Saxon) and his adoring assistant, Anne (played by Argento-favorite, Daria Nicolodi). His violent writings, tremendously popular in Europe, have made him very popular. Shortly before his arrival, a young woman is murdered by the very weapon his fictional killer uses in the titular novel, with pages from the book jammed in her mouth; and although he's not a suspect (since he was on the plane when she was killed), a police investigator, Detective Giermani, wants to talk to him for any ideas or clues as to who committed this heinous crime. With his traveling bag destroyed by someone and an envelope mysteriously finding its way under the door of his hotel room with information about the killing, the feeling of tension and unease begin to build quickly. At the same time, Neal becomes aware he is being followed by his embittered ex-wife, Jane.
In between all of these scenes, we are shown themes of sexuality, and vision impairment. We see flashbacks from a shadowy figure. We never see who's having the flashbacks, but it's to assume it's the killer. There's scenes of abuse and dark sexuality. Eventually they become memories of murder. Drug use, medicine for the sick-of-mind act as a backdrop for these flashbacks.
There's a moment in passing which plays into Peter's character. While cooperating with the investigator, Detective Giermani tells him he figured out the killer on page 30 of his book. It's purely subtext, but this is something which probably doesn't sit well with Neal. I imagine it made him feel like he were losing his edge. Ego-driven, wanting to solve the crime himself rather than alert the police, Neal and a young assistant go to the house of his suspected killer. A moment of confusion passes and the suspected murderer is killed with an axe to the head. The only problem is there's still a lot of film left. This raises questions of who the killer really is. The one lead Argento gives us is brutally murdered in the middle of the second act.
The next day, Neal meets with Detective Giermani at the scene of the crime. Peter quotes Sir Arthur Doyle's 'The Hounds of Baskerville', saying, "Once you rule out the impossible, whatever remains—however improbable—must be true". Someone who's alive should be dead, or someone who's dead should be alive. Soon, Bullmer gets stabbed to death in broad daylight; and Neal's young assistant, Gianni, is strangled. For safety's sake, Detective Giermani suggests Neal to take a plane back to New York and Peter obliges. This makes for a brutal ending and a huge reveal in the horrifically demented ending.
On my scale:
Overall Enjoyment ----17
Redeeming Qualities---15
Rewatchability---------7
Fun/Special Effects----7
Directing/Quality------8
Plot/Storyline----------9
Pacing-----------------9
Dialogue/Acting-------7
TOTAL---------------79
Most fans think 'Suspiria' is Argento's best; and while I disagree, I will say 'Suspiria' is probably my favorite of his, but not his best work. That's not to take anything away from it, since 'Suspiria' is a masterpiece, but 'Tenebre' is one of the best giallos ever. This movie is a mindfuck. It has different cases of vision impairment. Some are for the audience, to keep a level of mystery; and some are for the actors, so they can't see the face of the killer. What's uncertain is how much of this film is premeditated or impulse and circumstance. Some scenes play out like it's a preconceived plan, and some feel like decisions made in the moment. It aids with the helpless sense Argento wants his viewers to have. This is extremely well-written and well-directed. The camera angles and scenes influenced some of the greats, like Brian DePalma and his film, 'The Untouchables'. This is a fantastic film, and just as good the second and third time around. It all culminates in a terrifying ending. 'Tenebre' is a frightening look at human perversion. Best of 1982. Watch it. Four stars.Also, there's a darkly comical scene where Bullmer and Peter are talking about a hat. Peter asks if Bullmer moves his head around fast, will the hat fly off. After several fast rotations, the hat sits comfortably atop his head. When Bullmer gets murdered, he falls over and there's a quick shot of his hat falling off and blowing to the side. That one made me chuckle. And try watching people's expressions when they get killed, as if to find a hint of who the killer really is.
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