Aria (1987)
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50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
42% of users liked it
(2,139 ratings)
An international collection of well-known directors contributed to this compilation film, each fashioning a short film inspired by an aria from a famous opera. The approaches vary broadly, from the playful abstraction of Jean-Luc Godard's segment, which illustrates Armide with exercising… More An international collection of well-known directors contributed to this compilation film, each fashioning a short film inspired by an aria from a famous opera. The approaches vary broadly, from the playful abstraction of Jean-Luc Godard's segment, which illustrates Armide with exercising body-builders, to the more literal approach of Franc Roddam, who transports Tristan und Isolde's story to modern-day Las Vegas. A particular stand-out is Julian Temple's take on Rigoletto, which recasts Verdi as the accompaniment to a contemporary Southern California sex farce. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 30 min.
- Directed By
- Bill Bryden, Bruce Beresford
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Comedy, Special Interest
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1988 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 6, 1999
- Studio
- Academy Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The best of the 10 segments is, perhaps predictably, the rare one without lofty pretensions.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I am not sure that any indispensable statement about opera has been made here, and purists will no doubt recoil by the irreverence of some of the images. But the film is fun almost as a satire of itself.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Aria gives 10 filmmakers a chance to create vignettes set to well-known opera arias.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Uneven compendium film. Russell, Temple, and Roddam are the best things. Goddard is the worst.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
pretentious piffle that's pretty much one sour note after another
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Cast
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Theresa Russellas King Zog -
Nicola Swainas Marie -
Buck Henryas Preston
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Jack Kyleas Travis -
Marianne McLoughlinas Kate -
Julie Hagerty
