Review:

Writer / Director Vince D’Amato returns with REVERSED, his fifth full length movie taking influence from the recent wave of neo-giallo (particularly that of Cattet and Forzani) as much as the more traditional, Italian films of the sixties and seventies.

 

Even a cursory scan of the plot synopsis puts one in mind of the description of AMER and while REVERSED possesses a few leanings towards that (arguably) seminal film it clearly possesses a unique identity and more than enough tricks of it's own to make D'Amato a peer of his more famous colleagues rather than follower.

 

The opening credits present a dynamic collage, complete with one of the best audio backing tracks I have heard in the genre for many a year. Soon after we hear a mysterious woman book a hotel room for three people for the following day but interestingly D'Amato provides this dialogue in the Italian language, offering no subtitles and I suspect that this is a conscious decision designed to invoke early on a feeling of voyeurism and intrigue in the viewer. This feeling is supported by the use of multiple cuts and scenes which also serve to disorientate the viewer but rather than feeling lost if you allow it in, it absorbs you, stimulating your brain as you attempt to take in this new information, the faces, the sights and any sounds D'Amato feels we need to fully experience this film.

 

Shot in London and Milan, some sequences clearly captured guerrilla style, the costumer design and choice of locations are spot on and mirrored by the stylised, beautifully shot and diverse cinematography which stands out from many other independent films thanks to the methods and colour schemes utilised as colour palettes change depending on the mood and location of the scene while the sometime whirring noise of the camera perfectly captures that sense of, again, voyeurism as it places the viewer right there in the scene having the effect of turning you into an accomplice and therefore complicit in the events that unfold, with the best example being Asia and her two companions in the hotel bar and room before D'Amato shifts tone again ending the party and detaching us from the frivolities that came before.

 

Asia's journey is mixed up and confused, mimicking that of her understanding and her mindset but soon we witness her giving in to her impulses, which begin to consume her. Halfway through her journey during an intimate lesbian encounter the act of photographing seems to not only capture her soul but rather lay it and all of her transgressions bare. From this encounter, a weight appears lifted as Asia finds kindred spirit O and for the first time we begin to feel that salvation or rather redemption may be near.

 

Elements of REVERSED reminded me of several non-giallo films such as Glazer's UNDER THE SKIN, also released in 2013, in regards to the predatory sexual prelude before death  and lead character Asia shares more than a passing interest in voyeurism much like the character Mark Lewis in Powell's fantastic PEEPING TOM.

 

The limited dialogue, all recorded in Italian, and diverse, almost avant-garde soundtrack serve to complete its almost art-house giallo credentials and while not fully realising the erotic elements that marked out AMER and THE STRANGE COLOUR OF YOUR BODY'S TEAR'S, a certain element of uneasiness and sleaze pervades the film giving it a certain edge which was not necessarily present in the films of Cattet and Forzani.

 

REVERSED is an emotional, sometimes beautiful but always dangerous take on the giallo genre than unsettles, arouses and most importantly delivers. D'Amato clearly understands the history of the genre as well as that of film-making resulting in something esoteric yet playing up to the grindhouse mass market. Clocking in at just under sixty five minutes this film is highly recommended to those of you who enjoyed AMER and THE STRANGE COLOUR OF YOUR BODY'S TEARS and also those who like to be challenged by film thanks to its mixture of the surreal, erotic and sordid. REVERSED is a film that rewards your patience thanks to D'Amato's ability to contextualise Asia's psychological descent and emotional journey.

 

Find out more about Brivido Giallo on the company blogsite.

 

Version Reviewed:

We reviewed an online screener version courtesy of Brivido Giallo.