The Stendhal Syndrome

(1996) ***1/2

Dario Argento directs his own daughter in what is arguably the most brutal film of his brutal career. Asia, still looking like she hasn't slept in weeks, plays a police officer named Anna. (Incidentally, Anna is the name of his other daughter who is deceased). The film begins with Anna bugging out and hallucinating herself into the paintings at the famous Uffizi Museum in Italy. So far so awesome. She is then assaulted by a serial rapist/murderer and she's the only person to have lived through one of his attacks. Soon thereafter she exhibits a radical change in behavior. She cuts her hair short and becomes prone to violence and self mutilation, while continuing to visit the musum to walk among the pictures. The Stendhal Syndrome, as explained by her psychiatrist, refers to an 18th century writer who was overcome by powerful emotions while viewing art and his shock was followed by similar hallucinations. He felt happiness, yet wanted to forget it.

Anna's second encounter with the killer culminates with a revenge sequence that Steven Segal would be proud of. SPOILER: She stabs him, gouges his eye out, shoots him and then rolls his sorry ass off a cliff. Life goes on and she finds true love. The movie could have easily ended here. But then the crank calls start...

The Stendhal Syndrome is dense and difficult to watch at times but it is also fascinating and even rewarding in the end. The killer is one sick, sick fuck, up there with the worst of them. It is certainly the only horror movie I've seen that delves into the psychological ramifications of rape. The music is eerie and hard to shake off and visually it is almost hypnotic. Though filmed in 1996, I wouldn't have batted an eye if told it was from the 70's. Enter at your own risk.