Paranoia
On the evening of November 8th, 1966, following the afternoon filming of The George Hamilton Story, a movie in which Warhol cast his mother Julia as an “aging peroxide movie star with a lot of husbands”, – “ We’re trying to bring back old people.” – he took his crew and a much larger cast to Kaleidoscope, fashion designer Tiger Morse’s boutique shop on Madison Avenue in New York City, to shoot his second unreleased film of the day. A nocturnal tale of downtown bulls in an uptown China shop, Paranoia is a portrait of the always captivating, always hilarious Morse as she converses with everyone in front of and behind the camera while genuinely attempting to keep the Superstars in the room from wreaking havoc on her uniquely curated curios.
Insights
Plot Summary
In Rome, a young woman named Irena is plagued by disturbing nightmares and a growing sense of unease. As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding her own past and a series of unsettling events, she finds herself entangled in a complex web of deception and paranoia. The lines between reality and hallucination blur as Irena struggles to uncover the truth before she succumbs to the overwhelming psychological torment.
Critical Reception
Dario Argento's early directorial effort, 'Paranoia,' received mixed to positive reviews, praised for its atmospheric tension and stylish direction, though some critics noted its complex and sometimes confusing narrative. It is considered a significant precursor to his later giallo masterpieces.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and Argento's nascent visual flair.
- The intricate plot was seen as both a strength and a weakness, leading to moments of confusion.
- A compelling psychological thriller that showcases Argento's emerging directorial voice.
Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not widely available for this specific film, but general sentiment tends to appreciate its suspenseful narrative and directorial style.
Fun Fact
Though often discussed as an Argento film, 'Paranoia' was actually directed by Umberto Lenzi, with Dario Argento credited as the screenwriter. Argento's involvement is significant in shaping the film's suspenseful and visually driven nature.
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