Four Flies on Gray Velvet (B+)

"Four Flies on Gray Velvet" was directed by Dario Argento and released in 1972. Argento , the Italian master of horror, should be more well known than he is. This is one of the most visually striking "horror" movies I have ever seen.

"Four Flies" actually uses elements from many different film genres. (It is aesthetically anachronistic to look at it this way since the movie was filmed before these genres had become so entrenched in the film industry, but it is a useful perspective for the modern movie-watcher.) It is part mystery, part detective flick, and part horror. The plot makes it a mystery, but Argento's distinct style certainly belongs in the horror genre.

A prominent musician is set-up to commit a murder and psychologically tortured by a mysterious yet intimately acquainted and obviously deranged mastermind. As people begin to die the stakes are continually raised. The mystery unfolds obliquely through seemingly unconnected images and narration. The protagonist enlists the help of of a private detective who uncovers the truth, but the viewer only hears part of the story. The course of the movie strays a bit at times and the viewer could feel a little bit TOO lost. Some of this convolusion is justified by the end of the movie, but only some, in my estimation. The end is also accompanied by the seemingly ubiquitous killers monologue, allowing help to arrive. This is more than compensated for by a final shot which is simply breathtaking.

Argento kills a character like no one else. The scenes of obvious suspense are torturously (amelioratively) drawn out and the coup de grace is never disappointing in their graphic boldness. Argento also makes wonderful use of silence. That being said "Four Flies" has a wonderful soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. Argento also injects some humor into the script in the form of the flamboyantly gay private detective, with mixed results.

The screenplay is certainly not Argento's best, but visually this movie is unbelievable. It probably won't blow your mind taken on the whole (although the last shot is sure to) but it is definitely worth a viewing.