Let me preface this review by saying I am not a film connoisseur. I don’t know anything about film techniques, lighting and foreign films. (I scheduled in naps during Film 101 in college.) But I do know when someone is trying to DO something in a film. You know that instinctive feeling that the lighting is a lighter darker than normal, the music is a little weirder than average and then GASP you realize.. You’re watching an art film.
Unbeknownst by me, the term Giallo refers to an Italian 20th century genre of crime fiction and murder mystery literature and film. Giallo in Italian is “yellow” and stems from the era of cheap paperback novels that had trademark yellow covers. These movies are known for lots of blood, crazy camera work and awkward musical arrangements that make you rethink every scene.
The movie Giallo takes place in Torino, Italy where Celine, an American model, is abducted by a taxi driver while en route home to meet her sister Linda whose visiting her for the weekend. The next morning, Linda reports that Celine is missing – the sergeant in charge directs her to F.B.I. agent Inspector Enzo Avolfi (Adrian Brody). Avolfi is investigating a serial-killer that kidnaps foreigners, slices them up in an effort to make them ugly, and kills them. After some heavy investigative reporting, (as in everyone seems to do the work while Avolfi wanders around chain smoking) they find their first major clue – the abductor is known as “Yellow” due to a serious bout of jaundice. (Yes, I’m serious..) So now they must use this tip to find the killer.
For those who like a whodunnitit meets slasher flick , you’ll probably want to watch Giallo. I’m not sure if the movie gives the Giallo genre any justice but the movie does have a sort of cheesy appeal.
This week we’re giving away Giallo along with 2 other DVDs to ONE lucky Manolith Reader. Check our FREE STUFF section for more details!
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