Customer Reviews

Scarlet Diva

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

First of all, this film is not explicit in any way, shape or form, and does not belong in the same breath as the great Eurosleaze titles. It is an admirable attempt by Asia, and probably better than many first time directors/story writers could do, but I can do without her wallowing in self-pity.
I found it fascinating that, during the interview with Asia which is included on the dvd, she actually tells the viewer not to be disturbed by what is seen in the film. Well, I watched and watched again, and could not find anything disturbing except the fact that the clock had ticked away so much of my spare time--time which could have been spent on more useful tasks.
No, there is nothing sexually explicit at all in this film, but you are meant to think there is. The sex scenes are laughably tame, trust me.
The most I got out of this dvd was the inspiration to purchase "The House on the Edge of the Park", the trailer for which is included on the disc, along with those of 2 other films. Now that was a much more rewarding film experience. This was forgettable.

ignore the other reviewers because this DVD does have subtitles, you may just have to turn them on in your menu.. unless I have some sort of magical copy!?!! anyways Scarlet Diva is another love it or hate it art house flick. It all depends on if you like Asia Argento, because this is a vehicle for her. Some magazines have critized this movie as an ego trip for her but they wouldn't dare say that about a woody allen movie or any other project from a multi-talented artist..you can tell this movie was made to tell some sort of life story and you can tell it is heavily dramatized..the film itself has it's own voyeuristic feel to it and some of the scenes and transitions are just wonderful (one of my favs include a shot of asia covering her arms over her head and the arms transition into a pillow that spreads open revealing asia was sleeping..hard to explain but the small things are what make this movie beautiful)..the movie is a little shapeless and drags in some areas but for a directoral debut with a small budget, this is impressive. I hope Asia directs again with a story that it is completely different so it can show an extension of her talents.

Asia Argento, daughter of Italian horror maestro Dario, has been a gifted actress on her own before her appearance in "XXX" with Vin Diesel, after her good turns in some English-speaking films like "B-Monkey" (directed by Michael Radford, "Il Postino" fame and "New Rose Hotel" by none other than Abel Ferrara. And her film debut goes back to the year 1985. Considering the fact she was born in 1975, her career is as memorable as that of Drew Barrymore, and it is only natural that Asia goes on to direct her own film, which turns out "Scarlet Diva," full of, some say, her autobiographical elements.

The film traces a life of Italian actress Anna Battista, who is at the height of popularity. But despite of her fame, her private life is terribly bleak: in short, sex, drug, and violence. But in Paris, she meets her destiny, that is, a musician from Australia named Kirk, with whom she shares a bed one night.

After the meeting with him, Anna attempts to change her life, taking more seriously of her life. But the surrounding people in the industy would not listen. The Hollywood producer doesn't hear her plead to be taken seriously, and only desires her body, not the scrpit she wrote.

"Scarlet Diva" goes on like this. The film suffers from its repetitions of the heroine's agony, which looks often as if having no end. Though the camera brings the atomosphere of the place to life vividly (with digital video), the narrative is not particularly effective. We know from the beginning where the film would go, and it goes there.

But the strong point of the film does not lie there, but in Asia's convincing performance as a tormented heroine. You may feel this film looks self-indulgent, and that tendency should be admitted. But her good acting, very emotional and true to herself, raises the film to higher level, showing that she is more than a daughter of famous director, or a psuedo-Bond girl in Hollywood movies.

Many interesting names appear in addition to painter Joe Coleman. Vera Jemma (Italian actor Giuliano Gemma's daughter) as Anna's friend, and Daria Nicolodi (Asia's mother) as Anna's mother. The soundtrack music is done by John Hughes, the son of much famous director of the same name (of Molly Ringwald films), and the film is produced by Dario and Claudio Argento, the latter being Asia's uncle.

First, I have to admit something. I have an inexplicably massive crush on Asia Argento. Why? I don't know. I simply do. How does this effect my review? Decide for yourself.

I've read Scarlet Diva is semi-autobiographical, so if you're interested in learning about Asia (as I was) there's no better starting point than this film. You'll find her audio commentary track to be especially revealing. Asia discusses the relationship she had with her mother and how it is represented in the film. She also discusses her father, the Italian horror director Dario Argento, on the commentary and his influence on the movie. Asia talks a lot about what she was going for in certain scenes and what she was hoping to accomplish. Good stuff.

The movie itself is a little harder to describe. Asia is great in the film, but in essence, she is playing herself so it's not surprising she does a good job of it. Asia does some interesting things with the camera and plays a little bit with symbolism (an umbrella blows down an empty street... uh, what does that represent again, Asia?) and religious imagery. As you watch, you can't help wondering how much is true and how much isn't. Asia's commentary helps you sort through much of it. For instance, she sadly points out the scene where she is seduced by a blonde stranger is one of the few scenes with absolutely no basis in fact. How disappointing.

The movie will probably depress and disturb you as you venture into the life of Anna Batista, a young actress who seems to have the world at her feet. However, we discover the life of celebrity isn't as much fun as one might think. Anna is subjected to as much loss and rejection as any other poor sucker. Anna smokes a lot of cigarettes. Anna has abortion nightmares. Anna is abandoned by the one person she thought she loved. Anna has some weird friends. Is Anna all that different from you or me?

Some have described this film as self-indulgent. Well, who wouldn't want to examine and experience their own life from the perspective of a director where you have complete creative control? Isn't that what art is? An examination of who and what we are? Asia handles the material well, considering it's her first feature as a director. And in any case, I don't mind Asia being self-dulgent because, well, she's so darned hot.

Still, I have a hard time recommending this to non-Asia fans. You'll probably love it or hate it or just wind up confused. Some will come away thinking it is too artsy (i.e. pretentious) for their tastes. Others will just be excited that it's a movie totally about Asia. Personally, I fall in this second category.

Don't waste your time or your money on this movie. Asia is VERY hot, but this movie is terribly boring. There aren't even enough skin or sex scenes featuring Asia to make it worth watching. It's a poor, low-budget, student-film with a horrible soundtrack.

I was looking forward to seeing this movie. I like Asia Argento, she was good in XXX and I wanted to see more of her, in more ways than one. I got my chance with Scarlet Diva. Before the movie starts she has a little monologue, asking the viewer not to be afraid of the movie, not to judge it because it was going to be honest and it might have some disturbing scenes and themes in it, to some viewers at least. So I'm thinking alright! No punches pulled in this movie. But there just weren't that many punches to pull. I mean she goes to buy dope from some has been british rapper, she attempts to use street slang, sag her pants and show off her thong, and it just comes across a little incredulous. I was sort of shaking my head and laughing and I found myself doing that a lot during the movie. She gave it a good try though and maybe she will come through in her future efforts, but this movie I'm afraid is a two star effort with an extra star for Asia getting naked at least. Sorry Asia!

In the film Asia Argento plays Anna Battista an Italian diva whose career we follow. It follows her downward spiral into the seedier side of the business that has been so well documented in other films.

Scarlet Diva is a good go at a very difficult subject. You have to walk a thin line to make us startled at this amoral, monied world yet create a pathos for the woman who is travelling through it.

I don't really think Argento pulls it off but she gives it one heck of a try. Battista throughout the film seems to be only a few beats away from developing into someone we could care about but whether through writing or direction she just falls short.

Rent the movie but I wouldn't buy it. I can't see that it is one that you would watch repeatedly.

This film is like one of those exceedingly autobiographical and self-reflexive first novels by a young writer. It's really all about the life of director-star Asia Argento, with just enough fictionalized elements to keep you guessing. (Who is the rock star with whom her character of "Anna" is so madly in love? With the name of "Kirk Vaines," it makes you wonder if he was based on Kurt Cobain! But the character is Australian and sounds more like Nick Cave, so who knows??) Asia is a compelling and fearless performer, and her film is quite elegantly shot and creatively edited despite an obviously low budget. It also defies the convention of many films of this type that track the tragic lives of movie starlets: in this film, the heroine actually seems to be on a path to get her troubled life *together.* Scarlet Diva is the work of a talented filmmaker, without a doubt, and I would love to see a *second* film directed by Asia Argento. I think she might actually do wonders with some material not simply about herself, if someone took a chance to give her the reigns to a project. Go, Asia!

This is a semi-autobiographical movie directed by Italian film starlet, Asia Argento. The movie is rather chaotic, which may fit with the life being portrayed, but does not make for a very good movie. The lead character, played by Asia herself, flits around from one strange incident to another - partially out of loneliness, partially out of looking for love and companionship, and partially trying to find her niche in life. It's a sad story filled with drugs and wrong choices - or at least what appear to the viewer as wrong choices. Unfortunately, disconnected from any explanation of the significance of the movie, it leaves one feeling like they wasted a few hours of time watching something rather pointless.

The interview on the DVD of Asia Argento sheds some real light on the meaning behind the movie and had I watched that first I might have interacted with the story differently. Even with the interview as background I don't consider this to be a particularly good movie.

The beginning of this film sees Asia Argento address her audience, saying that after watching this film you might learn more about her, then again, maybe you won't. There's no meaning to her statement.

That sums up this film! A series of pointless episodes in the life of an actress (supposed to be a semi-autobigraphical account). She rolls from one episode to another, taking drugs, masturbating, driving to northern Italy, taking more drugs, being on a photo shoot and taking drugs, fondling another woman (who just comes up to her door (Asia can't remember her). The woman fondles her for a while, saying she's got a taxi waiting to take her to the airport, but she's got plenty of time for a quickie, but then they just kiss for about 30seconds before the woman departs. Asia's left still wondering who she was!)

Asia travels around by car, aeroplane, and train, has a few more photo shoots, takes more drugs. Has lots of hallucinations about aborted/unborn children, and past lovers.

Does this sound self-indulgent? Yes, because it is. Asia obviously thinks her life is so interesting, that she is so great, you'd want to see what a mess she's made of it. What a self-centred/self-important piece this film is(If I can use some Australian slang... she's up herself!)