Fascinating, disturbing, confused. Shows the ugly side of fame - the alienation, betrayal and effects of drug abuse. This film is certainly not glamourous or particularly titilating as might be expected.
World never saw more hunger of fame, money and glory than it sees today with its dumb MTV, Big Brother or one-movie fancy lookin' celebrities cut to look like 2000 dollar whores, and it brilliantly fits to Asia Argento's amazing directional debut - made by the end of 20th century, ahead of its time description of hell of notoriety and its consequences; hell which one may come out of only if he have strong stomach and even stronger will. And above all: wisdom.
While its compelling story - shot entirely on digital camera in documentary-like, kind of visual diary aesthetic - focuses on 20-year old Anna Battista, a naive, unreflective actress and a celebrity at the top of the fame, it's the background that plays key role to her life. First: home, with indifferent father and unloving mother, who eventually dies of an overdose. Then the enviourment of cinema and circle of friends, full of bizarre, violent characters of addicts, sexual deviants and cynical filmmakers. At the top of it, there's this atrractive, world-famous rush: we jump with Anna like a kangaroo from Rome to Paris, from Paris to Milan, from there to London, then Los Angeles, Amsterdam... finding only constant misery and embarrassment. For underneath fast sex, drugs and other ways of self-indulgence lays need to be loved, despair and insecurity which - as we see at one point - results in nervous breakdown. It may not be anything new - after all, everyone took his share of reading about excesses of young, rising movie stars and we all saw "Boogie Nights". (We also recently lost Brad Renfro, which is simply a shame.) But what's striking is Argento's charisma and personality: a enormously strong urge and courage to show us the most bare side of Anna, making it one of the most uncompromising portrait of mistreated woman ever put on screen - lonely, lost, and because of her lifestyle, a bit blunted - as if it was a mud she wants to wash off herself.
Argento meant "Scarlet Diva" to be a personal account of struggles with temptations and recklessness, but because of her brutal honesty, she makes us look at it in the bigger picture, provoke us to think about our own insides and feelings, which, after all, are the most important things we have to offer others. And as we can see today, Argento is well-established actress, independent director of two films and a mother, away from flashes and covers. So maybe it's a warning, we should call it?
Really strange semi-autobiographical darkly dramatic in what sexy Asia Argento stars, directs and writes this weird film. But Asia looks bloody hot in her naked and sex scenes. Whoo!
Extremely powerful and insightful drama about how the world is for women who are single, ambitious, and attractive. Exceptional; one of the best films I've ever seen.
I'd like to say I got this because I was interested in the plot but I'd be lying. Since seeing her in Land of the Dead, I just had to perv at this. I think I spent most of the time fast-forwarding, I don't think there was much sex in it from what I remember but it's all kind of a blur - it left THAT much of an impression on me. Go watch LOTD, she's hotter in that and it's a better film.
had to watch it in italian, but with a little English here and there. not a lot of substance and a bit muddled; conflicted in it's tone wanting to be part whacky italian humor or dark, sinister and mournful. never really succeeding in either. asia is sooo hot.
Asia Argento's directorial debut is not for everyone but it's strange, colorful, sexy and, at times, brilliant. It's also frustrating, scary and embarressing at times. Worth seeing, though.
It's a horrible movie, with a stupid plot, and flat acting. But with asia stripping in everyother scene, it keeps it somewhat interesting, and entertaining
Certainly not a film for the kiddies, more troubling than titillating this film delves into the personal torment of an emotionally immature starlet and the people around her. . . People who mostly use and abuse her anyway. A compelling, if not completely coherent, film.
Well this is very good taking into consideration that it's asia's directorial debut, plus its an interesting peak into her own personal hell......did i menatian she's really freaking hot!!!"
MCT:August 30, 2008
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