"Anima Persa" perhaps isn't the strangest film I have ever seen, but it's definitely in the top 10. The difference is, however, whereas most strange films are pretentious and just plain dull, this is one of the most fascinating and haunting motion pictures ever made. I've seen "Anima Persa" listed as a Giallo, but it really isn't one. It's not because a film is Italian, made in the 70s and set in Venice, that it's automatically a Giallo. It's one of those movies that are nearly impossible to classify.
For his art studies, 19-year-old Tino goes to Venice, where he moves in with his aunt Sofia and his uncle Fabio in their old but imposing mansion. His stay starts out wonderful, as he falls in love with the school's resident nude model Lucia, but at home things are a psychological nightmare. Fabio is a tyrant with insane ideologies, Sofia is petrified of her dominant husband, and locked away in the attic lives Fabio's mentally deranged brother. The plot doesn't seem to have any more twists in store, and yet it builds up further to an almost unbearably tense climax. I honestly didn't see the final revelation coming, even though - afterwards - it seems so logical. Admittedly the ending also raises many questions, but one thing's for sure: it's utterly astounding and 200% unique.
The two great names in the cast, Catherine Deneuve and Vittorio Gassman, give away stellar performances. Even though their characters are unpleasant, and most of the time you would just like to slap them both in the face, they form a tremendous pair. The other cast members are excellent, too, notably the ravishing Alvina and Ester Carloni as the cocky old housemaid Annetta. "Anima Persa" is a unique experience. It's not horror, but more atmospheric and unsettling than most horror. Only the great Italian directors, like Dino Risi, could accomplish this.
For his art studies, 19-year-old Tino goes to Venice, where he moves in with his aunt Sofia and his uncle Fabio in their old but imposing mansion. His stay starts out wonderful, as he falls in love with the school's resident nude model Lucia, but at home things are a psychological nightmare. Fabio is a tyrant with insane ideologies, Sofia is petrified of her dominant husband, and locked away in the attic lives Fabio's mentally deranged brother. The plot doesn't seem to have any more twists in store, and yet it builds up further to an almost unbearably tense climax. I honestly didn't see the final revelation coming, even though - afterwards - it seems so logical. Admittedly the ending also raises many questions, but one thing's for sure: it's utterly astounding and 200% unique.
The two great names in the cast, Catherine Deneuve and Vittorio Gassman, give away stellar performances. Even though their characters are unpleasant, and most of the time you would just like to slap them both in the face, they form a tremendous pair. The other cast members are excellent, too, notably the ravishing Alvina and Ester Carloni as the cocky old housemaid Annetta. "Anima Persa" is a unique experience. It's not horror, but more atmospheric and unsettling than most horror. Only the great Italian directors, like Dino Risi, could accomplish this.