A young film student named Giulio(Elio Germano), with a classic unhinged case of "peeping tom" disease, believes a woman named Sasha(Elisabetta Rocchetti) that he spies on from across the street may've formed a "Strangers on a Train" partnership with another young woman, Federica(Chiara Conti). His belief only heightens when Sasha's overbearing(..but wealthy!!white flag, maybe?)mother is viciously murdered. His increased desire to find out if what he believes is true, Giulio will inevitably face possible harm or worse death. Yet, he continues on to find a killer..
Marginal Argento effort doesn't come anywhere near his greater gialli, and is surprisingly predictable. It's underwhelmingly non-violent(only one death, believe it or not), and has very little in the way of thrills. It does have some nudity and Argento's camera longingly strokes their flesh, but it is more to do with Giulio's lifestyle and obsession for spying on them. That may be one of a few true characterizations of Giulio for he pretty much spies on someone the entire picture and is lucky to escape several near moments of real danger(..even as a child, as Argento opens the film, he narrowly escapes spying on two older women slicing a bird).
The homage to Hitchcock is a wonderful reason to watch the film and Argento also has moments of praise for Fritz Lang, David Lynch, & "Nosferatu." He often shows Giulio visiting a video store so that is kind of cool to see Argento even given himself the treatment(check out the poster of his recent "The Card Player"), and has him researching several films. You always feel, though, that Hitchcock is to be praised in this film and "Rear Window" especially gets a lot of love.
If you want Argento with bite..look elsewhere. This is an uninspired thriller which does have good pacing even if the ending is lackluster.
Marginal Argento effort doesn't come anywhere near his greater gialli, and is surprisingly predictable. It's underwhelmingly non-violent(only one death, believe it or not), and has very little in the way of thrills. It does have some nudity and Argento's camera longingly strokes their flesh, but it is more to do with Giulio's lifestyle and obsession for spying on them. That may be one of a few true characterizations of Giulio for he pretty much spies on someone the entire picture and is lucky to escape several near moments of real danger(..even as a child, as Argento opens the film, he narrowly escapes spying on two older women slicing a bird).
The homage to Hitchcock is a wonderful reason to watch the film and Argento also has moments of praise for Fritz Lang, David Lynch, & "Nosferatu." He often shows Giulio visiting a video store so that is kind of cool to see Argento even given himself the treatment(check out the poster of his recent "The Card Player"), and has him researching several films. You always feel, though, that Hitchcock is to be praised in this film and "Rear Window" especially gets a lot of love.
If you want Argento with bite..look elsewhere. This is an uninspired thriller which does have good pacing even if the ending is lackluster.