The Stendhal Syndrome
(1996)
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The Stendhal Syndrome
(1996)
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Asia Argento | ... | ||
| Thomas Kretschmann | ... | ||
| Marco Leonardi | ... |
Marco Longhi
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Luigi Diberti | ... |
Insp. Manetti
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Paolo Bonacelli | ... |
Dr. Cavanna
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Julien Lambroschini | ... |
Marie
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John Quentin | ... |
Anna's father
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Franco Diogene | ... |
Victim's husband
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Lucia Stara | ... |
Shop assistant
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Sonia Topazio | ... |
Victim in Florence
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Lorenzo Crespi | ... |
Giulio
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Vera Gemma | ... |
Policewoman
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John Pedeferri | ... |
Hydraulic engineer
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Veronica Lazar | ... |
Marie's mother
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Mario Diano | ... |
Coroner
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Anna Manni is a policewoman trying to capture a vicious serial rapist and killer. The problem is that she suffers from "Stendhal's syndrome", a psychosomatic disease that gives her dizziness and hallucinations when she is exposed to the sight of paintings and artistic masterpieces. When the maniac lures her into a trap inside Florence's famous Uffizi museum, her troubles are just beginning... Written by Giancarlo Cairella <vertigo@imdb.com>
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 ****