Alexander Ross
This is truly (as most great Italian Giallo's of the time) one of a kind, little gem! Just look at the casting, dazzling cinematography (all strictly invented with class in a cold/blue colors palette, and, despite its Summery setting!), then of course all the sets, another class act per se, since they never feel conventional, but, always, rather mysterious, and, creepy, without ever being silly, though, or exceedingly over the top, if anything, created with newer and unconventional set directors, obviously working hard to make look everything so sleek and rather chic, and, then again, all make up, costumes, and, so on.. all details just coming together to create a bewildering composition, rich of inventions, and, i am thinking, certainly making so fiercely the most, out of a shoe string budget, finally proudly achieving, while fully succeeding in delivering a straight - to the Silver Screen (let's not forget that main point also, and that is the fact these movies were actually going wide screen, in Cinemas back then, since, i mean, we had of course no video's, DVD's, pay-per-view, or streaming, at the time!)- very good product, never less than compelling! And, not only professional, but, very enjoyable, gripping, and, even somewhat, 'personal', in this particular case, i thought! Ah, I truly only wish Cinema in this lamer than lame 2010's decade, had really only a half of the virtues, you may find in here! Truly. The plot is intriguing, puzzling, disturbing, and.. never or rarely, plausible, but, then again, who wanted to go to the movies to point fingers on stretches of plausibility, while enjoying a movie like this one, back then? Nobody: they just wanted to be fascinated, entertained, and, slowly, but surely lured, and, brought into a World they had heard of, or might have imagined or lusted: this is a privileged world belonging exclusively to a certain upper class, and, more precisely, a colorful and erratic group of folks, all linked by some truly sleazy sexual habits, and a fondness for betrayal, while always cheating reality in favor of money, or other even more ambitiously cruel plots and sub plots! Mario Caiano confirms himself immediately (after a decade spent as an Assistant Director, or Production or Script Supervisor, proving that a career is always best, when built over strong premises, such as, an on set preparation, and with legit foundations over a rigorous camera's technique!) as a solid director with this very movie, that has an almost profound visual sense, and, for sure, an appreciation for morbid and conceptual stylization, without certainly lacking of a visionary, and (then) what must have felt as a terribly innovative grip (I remind you again this was shot in the Fall of 1971!) for story telling, and, it is too bad that later, Caiano was not always offered or granted to direct as freely as he is doing here! Would also like to add that, even though, always have been a big fan of Morricone/Nicolai's classic Giallo's scores, i still loved the music here, also: a very atmospheric, very dark, nourish Miles Davis sound, although, most of all, for me, the winner here is truly the whole visual composition, again, that is just exquisite for the most part, and, to say the least! The cast is also a treat, with great Rosemary Dexter, leading, and, with quite a powerful presence, an awesome ensemble of supporters, such as, legend (Alida)Valli (she was already divine as the lead of Hitchcock's hypnotic "The Paradine Case" in 1948, and of Reed's "The Third Man" in 1949, but, also, of Visconti's art house masterpiece "Senso", in 1955, and she truly had an International career that very few other stars could compete with: just look her up!) , and with the always excellent presence of great Adolfo Celi, of course, and one of the beauties is the always sublime, wildly sexy, Sybil Danning, less campy here, but in a way, even in a smaller role, still almost more interesting than her most famous "American" movies. And, a bravo also to all other numerous thespians, of course! These were truly all good actors, but, also gifted with great and unusual presences, faces,looks, moods.. Not like in films today where everyone looks like a Bank's clerk! And i wanna ask all clerks to forgive me, of course, but, it's just an obviously non personal, and, non extremely correct way of saying, i am just trying to stress here, on a point that is very important, people: back then, some movies were so much more rewarding, because all actors had looks, some extraordinary if not, at least, unusual virtues, and, unique or pretty or weird features, in order to interest, and, intrigue, and, to make you care more, about their characters, while, of course always also being watchable, and, i would even say here way more than watchable! All together,"L'Occhio nel Labirinto" is finally a terrific, if slightly unusual, Giallo, definitely showcasing successfully way more personal visuals, and, unsettling tones, which i very much admired thoroughly, and, that, for me, at least, made up exactly for what was at times lacking a bit, from the script, not always of first hand, but, still compelling for the Genre's standards!!! PS: Sorry, but was irate when reading some reviews that were left a few years ago,but, if you are here because you like Giallo's, just get the movie - if you are into this wonderful genre, again, and, if you love Euro, and, Italian films from that wonderful, unforgettable time of creativity and inventions, that were producing ultimately even great B fun movies to watch, such as this one! - just get on it! But, if you wanna be an intellectual you are on the wrong title, and, you should truly know it! OK? Just saying..
