Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of Fantasma D'amore; before launching into my critique, here's a breakdown of my ratings:
Story - 1.50
Direction - 1.50
Pace - 1.50
Acting - 1.50
Enjoyment - 1.50
TOTAL - 7.50 out of 10
I don't class myself as a romantic so imagine my astonishment when Fantasma D'amore affected me; the film isn't a weepy, hence you can forget the tissues. The story may have moved me due to my age. Being in my midlife provides some new experiences, particularly emotional ones. 'Nuff Said. But I can't deny this little horror mystery tale does possess something special. And, if I knew what it was, I'd bottle it up and sell it; I'd be a millionaire overnight.
The ghostly yarn the writer's spin-out is well-structured and beautiful. The twists and turns along the way are superbly executed and keep the viewers' attention within the story. Not once did my interest shift. The characters are realistic in their personalities, even the highly-strung Ressi - and it would have been easy to make him too over-the-top. I know folks who are similar to the people in Fantasma. By making the people relatable, you can accept the strange occurrences that plague them.
The director is similarly skilled in his profession. He adeptly uses light and shade to add an eerie atmosphere. The scenes in the alleyways of the old part of town are creepy. He makes them more spooky by adding a distorting fog. He also slows down the pace, which adds an uneasy tension. Dino Risi is a maestro conducting the camera and light. Risi's filming style is polished, and as with the writers and the story, his camerawork kept my eyes on the screen.
Add a cast of first-rate actors and actresses, and you create a movie to remember. Nobody is terrible in this picture, and moreover, nobody stands out above anyone else.
I would highly recommend this one to the older generation of horror fans. Fantasma is a slow-boil ghost mystery that ponders some awkward questions about love and relationships, though these are now dated. If you want gore, then this is not for you - but I strongly suggest you give it a try. This film is a "One To Watch" on my list. I will be revisiting Fantasma D'amore in the future.
Please feel free to visit my Absolute Horror and Dramatisation Of Life lists to see where I ranked Fantasma D'Amore.
Take Care & Stay Well.
