It’s weird. It’s slow. But damn it, I like it.
Amer (2009)
Directed By: Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani
The Prologue
I like the majority of the giallo films I have seen. I also have a thing for weird films. So when someone brings my attention to a movie that is a mix of both, I naturally want to check it out. And thus this brings us to the film called, Amer. A film that has been getting a lot of praise for it’s content, but a film that seems to be leaving some scratching their heads after seeing it. Now I can see what people might not like about this one, but I also see what people might like as well. And I think the positives stick out to me more so than the negatives.
The Movie
Three key moments, all of them sensual, define Ana’s life. Her carnal search sways between reality and colored fantasies becoming more and more oppressive. A black laced hand prevents her from screaming. The wind lifts her dress and caresses her thighs. A razor blade brushes her skin, where will this chaotic and carnivorous journey leave her?…Basically, you have a weird giallo that is just as artsy as it is giallo. I imagine some folks will hate this movie. But just the same, I am sure a lot of people will love it for the very same reason the other people hate it.
OK, so in the movie, Amer, we fallow a women as she experiences three very traumatic things in her life. Or, maybe we should just say she experiences three very key moments. Either way, we are sticking with one character, Ana, and we kick things off when she’s a small child and her grandfather has just died. This leads to her walking in on something that opens her eyes to a whole other part of life and it’s done in a very fancy and cool looking in HD segment of the film that is well worth taking a gander at. Soon after shes a teen and interacting with other people. Soon after that, she’s being chased around her home while someone is trying to kill her. You’ll probably enjoy that part of the film best.
And it is in that part of the film that the film goes from just being artsy and kinda creepy to being more intense and action packed. The drama is built up and it really becomes your more traditional giallo film, just with a more modern take and an appearance. It’s your typical killers with the typical look. THANKFULLY it’s your typical gore and effects and not CGI ridden. But also (add another thankfully here), we do get a more current upgrade on the Italian genre, so you won’t be bored at all. Well, you won’t be bored if you didn’t mind the first two segments. I didn’t, but it’s different strokes for different folks. And as we all know, I’m just weird.
Overall, when it comes to Amer for me, I liked it. I like the different take, the cool look, and the cool concepts. But I know that won’t be the case for everyone, so only watch it if you like that stuff. I do think it would be worth seeing anyway, but I’d hate to say go watch it and then hear the complaints later. But for what it’s worth, it does pack some creepy and bloody moments. And I’d say it’s all well acted as well. So, if you like those weird and wacky foreign films, give this one a viewing.
The Conclusion
The movie is one of the more different offerings I have seen in a while. It stands out. But it doesn’t stand out due to gore and shock, it stands out based on style. Outside some grain (and I think a lot of folks dig that) at the start of the movie, there isn’t much anyone could complain about as far as how the blu-ray looks. With something this stylish, I’d say make it a point to see it in HD.
The Rating (8/10)
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