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La sindrome di Stendhal (1996) More at IMDbPro »

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15 out of 17 people found the following comment useful :-
Through the looking-glass darkly, 5 June 1999
Author: matthew wilder (picqueur@aol.com) from los angeles

What makes up the singular pleasure that is Dario Argento? Maybe it's the crossroads where High Romanticism and hardcore porn meet. (I'm referring to the feeling of his work--not the images.) Argento seems doomed, like Peckinpah and like Lynch, to have summed up his world-view in a single masterpiece, the 1977 SUSPIRIA; the thrillers that came before and the low-budget shockers that came after may offer delights, but nothing close to that unity of vision.

Seeing THE STENDHAL SYNDROME projected in Los Angeles, I was struck with newfound sympathy for the Star Wars fans protesting way too much in favor of THE PHANTOM MENACE. If you love THE STENDHAL SYNDROME, you love Argento, and that is that--you may see the flaws, but they don't ruin your pleasure. The picture has too many Achilles heels to enumerate here, but what's important is that nobody in world cinema today is wrestling with his soul in the psychosexual mire the way Argento does. He puts his misogynistic demons and his almost sentimental compassion right out there; and only Cronenberg has such a direct pipeline to his own unconscious. Not to mention the fabulous, cascading images--Argento's stock-in-trade is Victorian Liebestod, Edward Gorey gone porno, and THE STENDHAL SYNDROME has sequences that rank with his best.

The sketchy thing about STENDHAL SYNDROME, like the maestro's TRAUMA, is his use of his daughter, Asia Argento, in scenes one cannot imagine a father watching, much less filming. Whatever memoirs come down the pike twenty years later, it must be said: Argento for certain lets it all hang out, and the land-mined terrain he maps is, to my taste, thrilling.

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11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
This departure from Argento is incredible!, 5 November 2001
Author: troy-32 from Chicago, Illinois

I was a little scared to watch "The Stendhal Syndrome" as many people indicated that it was below par Argento. Well, it's got a different style and a different kind of focus, but I think the movie is superb. Dario is one of the most utterly emotional movie directors ever, and to express all his emotion in horror films! Wow! In most of his films up to this one, there had been absolute concentration and recall of dream logic conveyed through a visual sense. "The Stendhal Syndrome" is not as steeped in the director's usual visual flourishes, though there are some here - it is superficially more realistic and more plain. Really, though, I think it's his most seductive, luxurious film yet... And it's the perfect story (adapted?) for this director. The story of a female cop who is capable of being seduced and overcome by looking at art, while being pursued and manipulated by a serial rapist. Dario's depth comes out through story and character motivation and emotion here, and there is an excitement in waiting to see how a character is going to react. Characters aren't always terribly rational here, they kind of act more impulsively I think. Asia Argento gives the best performance in an Argento film that I have ever seen. It's not that she has great technique or timing or whatever, but her natural presence is very strong and very appealing. Vulnerable, confused, searching, childish, yet resourceful, these qualities are perfect for the role. She is absolutely fluid (as opposed to erratic) and it makes her actions and feelings seem perfectly, naturally accommodated. She doesn't have to behave like anybody else, she is unique. I love her slightly crazed passion when she gets her chance to turn the tables. The emotional violence in this movie is breathtaking! It is quite possible that Dario achieved some growing sophistication with "Stendhal Syndrome" - before, his wonderful, bold visuals perceived through violence had a subtext that could only be partly guessed at. Here, his violence is conveyed through pure human emotion. Along with the scene from "Straw Dogs", the rape/murder scene here is amazing and rare in its perceptiveness. It is thoroughly brutal, yet it is strangely cathartic. And Anna's constantly changing state of mind is almost thematic. It is possible to think that a director with a stronger story-telling sense might have done something maybe better with the material than Argento, but I don't think so... His particular weakness works to a curious advantage here in that plot twists and character's actions are continually resolved at their originating dreamlike state. Nothing is overtly stated here, emotion and motivation of the characters are left to the viewer's imagination, which is so much more exciting. "The Stendhal Syndrome" may not look like typical Argento fare, but that's because everything has developed from the outside moving in, rather than inside out.

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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
underrated intelligant thriller, 18 April 2000
Author: cread from devon england

La Syndrome di Stendahl has met cruel critical comments on its initial release but although it is not at all like his earlier work, it is in fact a far more intelligent and mature affair. Anna Manni, the character played by Asia Argento, has more compassion than any other character in an Argento film, quite unlike the carelessly created cartoon-like characters of his other work. It is true, however that the film drags slightly in the middle, although picks up the pace again for a surprising and beautifully directed finale; and although the film is not as bloody as tenebrae, the violence on display is brutal and sexual (leading to it being cut for release in Britain) and genuinely disturbing. Perhaps not as good as Deep Red or Suspiria, but definitely one of this unusual director's better efforts.

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8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Pretty solid, 7 March 2005

Author: (dennis70) from Trieste

Regarded as one of Argento's lesser works, I find this one much more plausible than any of his early films. Let's face it, Argento doesn't care much about plot or even acting. His films are probably the frustrating I've ever seen: There are things I love, and things I hate about them. I grew up watching much of his films mutilated by Italian Television. I was a kid back then, and strangely enough his films never scared me when they were supposed to. They were really over the top. But I loved the colours, the pictures and once in a while I found myself humming Claudio Simonetti's electronic scores.

Now with this film Argento has Morricone, who is definitely a master and he does a great job here. Anna's character is really intriguing. Some people dismiss Asia's acting style, but I think it goes very well with her father's aesthetics. You wont find the crazy colours here. Everything is more restrained. The opening for example scene is great. But the film looses interest towards the end. Still I think is one of Argento's most solid pieces. The idea is truly interesting and Anna's relationship with the killer is fascinating. The hallucinations scenes of Anna going into the paintings are masterfully done.

After the huge disappointment of Il Cartaio, I hope he truly returns to form, and start doing what he's good at: Going crazy with film. La Sindrome Di Stendhal is a pretty good step.

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7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Gloomy Argento., 25 February 2005

Author: HumanoidOfFlesh from Chyby, Poland

Horror maestro Dario Argento's daughter Asia Argento portrays Anna Manni,a beautiful detective in pursuit of a savage serial killer-rapist who has been terrorizing Italy.When his trail leads Anna to Florence's famed Uffizi Museum,the investigation takes a violently psychotic turn.Anna is struck by the bizarre phenomenon known as the Stendhal Syndrome,a psychological reaction to artwork that forces Anna into a mysterious trance."The Stendhal Syndrome" has to be one of the nastiest films ever made by Dario Argento.Asia Argento is perfect as a street-tough,confident cop.The score by Ennio Morricone is also excellent.The rape scenes are particularly brutal,so if you are easily offended avoid this film.The story is intriguing and well-developed,and there are some gruesomely surreal moments including Alfredo waving at Anna through the hole he's blown in another woman's cheek and the messy puncturing of a man's gullet with a pair of rusty springs.So if you are a fan of Dario Argento give this one a look.It's certainly much better than "Trauma","The Card Player" or "Phantom of the Opera".

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Quite Interesting if a Bit Slow, 2 April 2004

Author: konky2000 from Oakland, CA

This movie is structured in such a way that the 'climax' appears to occur much earlier than one would expect. I was left wondering what in the world Argento was going to do to keep the action going. I was eventually thrilled by the result, but I still must admit that there was a 15 minute stretch in the middle when I just couldn't figure out at all where the movie was headed. In this way, the structure reminded me a bit of Vertigo.

Unfortunately, the one thing that is usually the best in Argento's work -- the cinematography -- is obscured by an unbelievably bad DVD transfer by Troma. Compared to Anchor Bay's treatment of films like Deep Red and Phenomena, Troma's release of Stendahl Syndrome looks like a 3rd generation VHS. If you care about your DVD transfer quality, you definately need to preview this one before buying it. Movie 7/10, DVD transfer 2/10.

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5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
You can't take your eyes off it., 8 January 2000

Author: yogurt-3 from Canada

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

One of those rare instances when I rented a film with zero expectations and was actually surprised just how good it was. The film starts off confusing as hell but stick with it and you will be rewarded with answers. Argento always keeps you guessing what his characters are capable of and what they might do next. As with Argento's "Opera", the ending is the weakest piece of the puzzle, but what a trip to get there! The violence here is brutal rather than blood drenched like "Tenebre". Hard to watch but important to establish the mindset of both protagonist and villain. Not for everyone, but what Argento film is?

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
A haunting film that reminds us, art can be deadly., 27 October 2006

Author: SickBoySimon from Brentwood, USA

Brooding and powerful horror film by Dario Argento is perhaps his finest film of the 90's, and certainly an unforgettable one!

Detective on the trail of a crazed rapist learns she has an illness where artwork puts her into trances, but that's the least of her worries when she becomes the obsession of the maniac she's after.

The Stendhal Sydrome is a truly dark and disturbing film. It packs bursts of bloody violence and lulls of chilling madness; it's a film that's psychologically disturbing as well as intensely suspenseful. Argento's direction is excellent, not only giving the film strong atmosphere but some sequences that are wonderfully dream-like and some nightmarish. The art direction is finely done. The special FX aren't bad either, even some early CGI is thrown in. Ennio Morricone's music score is a perfect piece to this film, very eerie.

Cast-wise the film isn't half bad either. Asia Argento makes for an acceptable heroine, but its Thomas Kretshman who does the best performance as the horrific yet handsome villain. Marco Leonardi is also good as Asia's co-worker; as is Julien Lambroschini as a young art student.

The Stendhal Sydrome isn't a film for all taste by any means. It's a brutal shocker that had best be avoided by the faint of heart. A must for Argento fans and a good find for those that like their horror films extra intense.

*** 1/2 out of ****

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
OK psycho horror/thriller from Dario Argento., 12 November 2004

Author: Paul Andrews (poolandrews@hotmail.com) from UK

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Detective Anna Manni (Asia Argento), is investigating a series of rapes, the trail leads Anna to the Uffizi Museum of Art in Florence. She suffers from the real life Stendhal Syndrome, symptoms include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, confusion and hallucinations, brought on by an overdose of beautiful art, no I don't understand what shes doing in an art museum if she suffers from this either. While looking at a painting she faints. She has a bizarre dream about being underwater with a fish that has a human looking face which she kisses, and then thankfully wakes up. A worker at the museum, Alfredo Grossi (Thomas Kretschmann), helps her to a taxi. Later that night Alfredo rapes Anna in her hotel room, at gun point. Anna's own gun that Alfredo had stolen from her bag earlier in the day when she had fainted in the museum. She faints again. When she wakes she sees Alfredo raping another woman in a car, he shoots and kills the woman, Anna escapes. Returning to Rome, Anna is put on leave and is told to see a psychiatrist Dr Cavanna (Paolo Bonacelli). She decides to visit her family. However, Alfredo was never caught and is preparing to put Anna through another terrifying ordeal.

Stylishly directed by Dario Argento I thought it was a pretty good horror/thriller. This time however Argento doesn't use as many camera tricks and weird angles as in some of his previous films, although there is one one scene I liked, it's where Asia is on the phone, the camera starts in front of her, it then begins to zoom in while doing so it twists 90 degrees for no apparent reason other than to look cool, a nice little shot that make someone talking on the phone look interesting! But imaginatively filmed scenes like this are few and far between. At certain points the film becomes rather brutal and violent, with several rapes and murders, at least in the uncut version anyway. I found these scenes a bit distasteful. Special make up effects are good, including a sequence in which a woman is shot through both cheeks and the killer looks through both holes at Asia. The computer effects work less well, the shots of pills going down Asia's throat look awful, as do one or two of the hallucination scenes. The films biggest problem is the script, credited to Dario Argento, Franco Ferrini and Graziella Magherini. The killer is revealed almost immediately so there's no surprise or tension as to who's committing these brutal rapes and murders for most of the film, and the silly but entertaining twist ending takes absolutely ages to happen, the best part of 50 minutes after Alfredo is supposedly killed. It really drags in places, many scenes could have been shortened or deleted altogether without harming the story. And Asia's illness is more or less completely ignored for the second half of the film. A very young attractive Asia Argento never convinced me she was a hardened police Detective, either. One of Argento's earlier similar murder mystery films Tenebrae (1982) is a lot better, so try and track that down first. Well made and quite entertaining as far as it goes, but a little tedious in places, should have been 20 odd minutes shorter. Good, but not brilliant, and make sure you see the uncut version. Worth a watch at least.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Argento's vicious return to form, one of his most atmospheric and unsettling from start to finish,, 17 August 2007

Author: Disarmed-Doll-Parts (sprocket-hole@hotmail.com) from Australia

Argento has been cursed with a number of duds in recent years. 'Two Evil Eyes', 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'Sleepless', 'The Card Player' and one of the worst MASTERS OF HORROR episodes yet 'Jenifer'. However, the beautiful, poignant 'The Stendhal Syndrome' is an extremely well crafted rose between a number of poisonous thorns. It sees a return to the atmospheric dream-like charm of his earlier films like 'Phenomena' and 'Suspiria', but adopting his more recent sadism (it's always there, just a different style in his newer films) that gave slight high points in his otherwise dull modern films. After two poorly reviewed films ('Trauma' and 'Two Evil Eyes') Argento has finally done it right.

The film stars his daughter, Asia (whose interesting relationship with Dario adds to the intriguing and off-beat persona he puts out), as Anna, a beautiful police detective in Rome. When she is targeted by the serial killer she is hunting, she is raped and beaten and so leads Argento's best character study and one of the most intense of his films to date. Rather than following the madman as he offs prostitutes and impressionable young women through Italy (the film lightly touches on it, but the more left to the imagination the better), the film follows Anna as she loses grip on reality and develops a strange disease in which she can ever paintings in her mind and they help solve the case, called the Stendhal Syndrome. As the film goes on the attacks on Anna become more and more vicious, and the final climatic ending is one of Argento's best.

Asia delivers a interesting performance, to say it is good is to stretch the truth, but it is suited to the role and you can tell she has a lot of acting talent. All the other performances are rather flat, but as with all of Agento's films the performances aren't what really matter. The cinematography is bland, but as with Asia's performance suits the film better than if it were Technicolor. The tension and music is amazing, the film devotes itself to really unsettling you, rather than just entertaining you like other recent Argento's. 'The Stendhal Syndrome' is probably the most violent and disturbing I've seen the man go, the rape and murder scenes are gratuitously sadistic and the scenes where Anna is raped are bordering on exploitation.

Overall 'The Stendhal Syndrome' is a fantastic return to form fr Argento, and I hope 'The Third Mother' is anywhere near as well-crafted as this.

7/10

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