Phantom of the Paradise

27/08/2013 20:11

Brian De Palma is perhaps one of the most famous directors of all time.  He has created some brilliant classics; The Untouchables, Mission: Impossible and just a small ditty of a movie that you’ve probably not heard of called Scarface. No doubt De Palma is a ridiculously big name in crime thriller and drama. As well as this, he also constructed one of the finest horror movies to date with the delightfully chilling Carrie.

So De Palma is a big name when it comes to movies. But what most people don’t know is that within his early days, Brian De Palma made not one but two cult classic movies including this brilliant one;  Phantom of the Paradise.

 

A satirical look at glam rock, this is an amalgamation of Phantom of the Opera, Faust with a splash of Dorian Grey. Winslow Leach is an aspiring composer, having his work stolen by demonish record producer Swan. In the ensuing battle, Leach is disfigured and driven insane. Haunting Swan’s venue the Paradise, Leach is imprisoned by blood and brick to keep writing for Swan who has made a devilish deal for immortality. Writing soley for singer Phoenix, when the Phantom finds out that his work is giving to rock artist  prim donna Beef, Phantom seeks bloody revenge. Staring Bill Finley as Winslow Leach and composer Paul Williams as Swan, this is a tantalising horror comedy with some wickedly fantastic tunes.

Phantom of the Paradise initially panned globally on first release. It was only ever in Winnipeg, Canada that the movie made any success. Proving that people don’t know exactly what they are missing when they watch a movie, this 1974 classic is a teaming with brilliant hilarity and surprising dark elements. Piecing together all that is great of the seventies from the great costumes to the glam rock music, De Palma here utilises different musical eras as well as fantastic shots that really showcase his talent as a director. A homage to his idols such as Hitchcock, De Palma uses lingering camera work and even includes a Psycho-esque shower scene.

But what makes this version of Phantom great is that the music. Composed by genius Paul Williams who also composed Bugsy Malone and A Star is Born, this Oscar nominated score is unearthly good. Following the story, Williams songs not only set a fantastically dark undertone to the humour but it is catchy, deep and twists along with the turns of the movie. 

Phantom of the Paradise is a similar vein to Rocky Horror and Tommy with all the grandiose set pieces, steamy scenes and hilarity. De Palma cuts out a movie that is both frightening and funny. It is a perfect  combination of evil and good. Phantom is proof that selling your soul for rock and roll may not get you as far as you want; it is also a shocking indictment of rock and roll fans all wanting something more, something better and something entertaining. It is our need for bloodshed that disfigures the soul...

 

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