Scarlet Diva (2000)

Thanks for the memories!

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Asia Argento had an introduction to this movie, saying that she hopes people will understand her better or worse. One would hope that there is more to Argento than this movie shows. Her character is flat and, to be honest, really dumb. Anna meets a rock star and after knowing him for, maybe, a few hours, sleeps with him and tells him they made love. Then, she seems surprised when he tries to sneak out in the morning. Basically, that is it. An old man tapping a documentary tries to molest her, a film director tries to rape her, and some random blonde girl gets off on top of her. Then, shock of shocks, the rock star has a wife and doesn't love her. The most honest part of the movie was the introduction, where you can see the longing in her eyes as she asks you to enjoy her movie. It's the only interesting thing in this mess.

OK...so. As far as first films go, this is stunning.Jesus. And I thought "Irreversible" by Gaspar Noe was about the most hostile and brutal film I'd seen."Scarlet Diva" is disjointed yet beautiful in its purity of intent...but horrible in its truths. Like an omniscient eye it invades those private moments when you thought you were alone. Not perfect, but who can claim perfection in life, love or art anyhow?In the DVD intro Asia says..."Don't be scared, don't be shocked...It saved my life and maybe it will make your life a little worse or better and you'll get to know me a little better or a little less."It's what a film should do to you. Watch it with a good bottle of wine and an open mind and you'll be affected more than you might think. Buy it. Save it. Watch it again.

I did not know about Asia Argento before watching the film, save the comments on this site, so I went into the film with some trepidation.For a first shot at direction Asia did a great job, however she was let down by some of the actors around her and perhaps should pay more attention to the casting of her next movies. The "feel" did move between "Cinema Verite" and a more glossy feel which didn't work for me as far as the production value are concerned.I was clear from her acting performance that the story line was heart felt.I look forward to seeing some more of her work

Basically, Scarlet Diva, at least in my view, is Asia Argento exorcising some personal demons, most likely from her past and maybe some of her friends. It's the story about a druggy actress and her struggle for normacy/sanity in an insane world. It is a very personal film filled with episodes from Argento's past, at least you get that impression. It's a good film and is not the shockfest that it has been portrayed as. Worth a see.