(1974)
Favorite quote: "There really is a phantom! He was just in my shower!"
This is one of the few films where Brian DePalma's sometimes stilted and melodramatic directorial methods (screen wipes, split screens, etc) are used to perfect effect. This satirical, extremely funny rock opera is an adaption of the original "Phantom of the Opera", with some Faust and a bit of "The Picture of Dorian Grey" thrown into the mix.
Paul Williams portrays Swan, a devilish music producer who steals composer Winslow Leach's original rock cantata score. Leach (William Finley) is disfigured while trying to wreak revenge on Swan, then succumbs to Swan's invitation to re-write the cantata if Phoenix (Jessica Harper) is allowed to perform it. The music alone is worth having, as Paul Williams is an excellent songwriter, with serious songs such as the haunting "Old Souls" (beautifully performed by Jessica Harper) included along with the campier fare. It's well worth watching over and over, played through your stereo, LOUD!
Several scenes and characters stand out: Beef, portrayed by Gerrit Graham, is my favorite: a mixture of the ridiculous "glitter rock" musicians of the time, with an ultra-effiminate side. Jessica Harper, in her first screen role, is sweet, pretty, an excellent singer, and her little dance around the stage as she auditions (I call it her "chicken dance") for Swan never fails to make me laugh out loud. Paul Williams is kind of creepy-looking on a good day, and is perfect for this part.
This is as good a movie, if not better, than "Rocky Horror Picture Show", but it has not as yet attained the level of popularity it deserves.
2 comments:
I've never even heard of this one before. Cool!
Not only is POTP satirical, as Billie asserted in her review, it's also dark and odd; one could say campy, but I don't. It's satire is too biting for the film to be merely camp.
But I don't want to say any more about POTP; to say anything more would spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it, and I've been called a Spoiler Whore enough now to be more sensitive.
The music is pretty awesome, in a 70s kinda way. Paul Williams was actually nominated for an Oscar IIRC. I have this soundtrack on old school vinyl, and it's a particular favorite of mine. "Somebody Super Like You" is so sarcastic, I loved it immediately. My favorite song has to be "Special To Me." The melody and the lyrics blend together to make a pretty cool pop song. In the film, it's a rather ironic moment.
Peace out!
V
Post a Comment