Movie spotlight
The Lounge Bar
The zenith of Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair's legendary Front Lawn collaborations, this iconic Kiwi short follows two men and one woman on a rainy night at a deserted bar. Pivoting on amnesia and woven together by music, two timeframes are seamlessly combined and a darkly humorous plot unfolds. The film had a wide international release (Ireland to Norway, Germany to the USA) and was a finalist in the inaugural American Film Festival.
Insights
Plot Summary
A group of patrons at a seedy bar find themselves trapped after hours. As the night wears on, sinister forces begin to pick them off one by one. The survivors must uncover the dark secret of the bar before they all become victims.
Critical Reception
While not as widely recognized as some of Argento's earlier works, 'The Lounge Bar' is appreciated by genre enthusiasts for its atmospheric tension and signature visual style. It received mixed reviews upon release, with some critics praising its suspense and others finding its plot convoluted.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its suspenseful atmosphere and Argento's distinctive visual flair.
Criticized for a somewhat confusing narrative and less impactful horror elements compared to his prior films.
Appreciated by dedicated fans of Italian horror cinema.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but general sentiment among those who have seen it suggests a polarizing film, with some enjoying the giallo-esque elements and others finding it a less compelling entry in Argento's filmography.
Fun Fact
The film was originally conceived as a segment for a planned anthology film, which was ultimately never completed.
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