Phantom of the Paradise (1974)'s comments

Do you want to let us know what you think? Just login, after which you will be redirected back here and you can leave your comments.

Siskoid

Do we have a contender for Rocky Horror's double-bill partner? Brian de Palma's Phantom of the Paradise is a crazy movie about a rock opera that becomes a rock opera. A rock opera about Faust, which then very obviously because a Faustian story (which its composer is too naive or desperate to notice). And of course, it's also Phantom of the Opera, William Finley having to emote with a single eye (and doing so brilliantly) through much of the movie. That bird mask is part of a bird motif that runs throughout, in character names, iconography and costuming. The Devil, in this case, is a music producer played by Paul Williams, who also composed and arranged the songs. It's important to use that last verb, because I get a lot of joy from the way he sends up popular music of the 70s and previous eras, often using the same compositions. De Palma is as stylish as he's ever been, like a music video director long before such things were commonplace, and Phantom is so crazy at times, you can't help but laugh. In a good way. It's a lot of fun.

2 years ago