Scarlet Diva

Starring:Jeff Alexander, Gianluca Arcopinto, Paolo Bonacelli, David Brandon (II), Joe Coleman, Vanessa Crane, David D'Ingeo, Herbert Fritsch, Vera Gemma, Leo Gullotta, Justinian Kfoury, Daria Nicolodi, Gloria Pirrocco, Schooly-D, Selen, Jean Shepard, Robert Sommer (II), Alessandro Villari, Francesca d'Aloja
Studio: Shriek Show
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Italian starlet Asia Argento (who costarred in XXX with Vin Diesel, as well as several films directed by her father, horror maestro Dario Argento) wrote, directed, and stars in this story of an emotionally unstable Italian starlet named Anna Battista, who describes herself as "the most lonely girl in the world." Anna flailingly searches for love as she grapples with the pressures of life as a star (including grabby fans, lecherous producers, and abusive directors), travels from Rome to London to Amsterdam, has a drug-induced freak-out at a photo shoot, and smokes a lot of cigarettes. A tryst in Paris with an Australian rock star leaves her pregnant and convinced she's in love; but when he abandons her, she starts burning herself. Scarlet Diva features copious explicit sex, occasional flashes of visual razzle-dazzle, and a great deal of emotional torment. And while it lacks narrative shape, it is vivid and undoubtedly accurate. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Not bad for a directorial debut........2007-03-05

Scarlet Diva (Asia Argento, 2000)

Scarlet Diva is, in no small way, entertaining because it's a movie about its own creation. Yeah, it's Asia Argento's autobiography, etc. etc. But you know what's coming from the opening scene, and you're not disappointed.

Anna Batista (Argento) is a young, award-winning actress who wants to direct. The problem is, no one seems to want her to. A combination of her frustrated desires, a not-too-happy childhood, and her own (and others') relationship problems sends her down an ugly spiral of drugs and abuse, exacerbated by forces beyond her control, until she hits bottom and has that moment of epiphany you hear about all the time. All you need to do is connect Batista's "I want to direct" in the opening scene to Scarlet Diva being Argento's directorial debut, and you've got a complete picture (albeit a pretty boring one, since it's only got two dots).

The movie is better. Argento is a serviceable actress (though she's better when someone else is directing her; compare this to b.Monkey or New Rose Hotel, both from two years previous) with aspirations to greatness, and her rather astonishing ability to continually slag herself is almost scary. (We'll ignore the fact that this raises the obvious question of whether this is the version through the rose-colored glasses...) There are some pretty convincing breakdowns to be found here, some footage that's kind of difficult to watch. There's also a great deal that isn't (all of Asia Argento is as easy on the eyes as her face), and it's quite welcome. What lies between isn't bad, certainly-- most of the movie's problems (most of which are pace-related) are common to first-time directors. I found it haunting, even beautiful in a sort of depraved way. I seem to have liked it better than most, but that's not going to stop me from recommending it. ***

Vastly intriguing... but not for the reasons you might think..........2006-11-17

"Vincent gallo is a piece of &%$#, but I love him." So speaks Asia, in that hash-stained voice, monotone... commenting on a scene...

The commentary in this film is the high-point, by far. 5 stars for Asia bearing and concealing her soul, piece by piece, on the commentary track... The dialogue is subtitled people, so if you have a half a brain, you can watch it with the subtitles and the commentary... It's a strange ride. I can't imagine this gal's life... The asides and asia's monotone talk are soul-crippling.

It has the ring of truth. Definitely for people who feast on the bleaker, unremittingly flinchless side of life... I love this movie, but only with the commentary.

I love Asia Argento...but absolutely HATED this movie.......2005-10-07

First let me say that this movie DOES, indeed, have subtitles. Unfortunately, this is just one of those annoying DVDs where you actually have to turn them on with your remote.

I personally think that Asia Argento is sexy in a very skanky sort of way. I shouldn't like her as much as I do, but I do anyway. I think she's gorgeous and her pelvic tattoo is amazing. I also think she usually has great taste in the projects she takes on in Europe, but her American films leave a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, this is NOT one of her great European movies. In fact, I think the other reviewers who refered to this movie as "pretentious" were being way too kind.

While I admire what Asia was wanting to do with this movie, it comes across as more of a PRETENTIOUS ( I couldn't think of a better word) teenage-goth-girl-sex-fantasy. It's a low budget DV feature done in a pseudo-Dogma 95 style. Translated that means the script is very minimal and the production values aren't all that great. Some would have you believe this is for "artistic" effect. Personally, I think that's a bunch of crap. The teenage-goth-girl-sex-fantasy aspect gets REALLY old after about 5 minutes. The lack of an interesting plot doesn't even make the more superficial T&A aspects worth watching. (AND I LOVE MY T&A!!!!!!!)

Besides the nudity, I think the only other aspect of this film I liked was the jab they took at director Gus Van Sant, refering to a fictional version of Cleopatra he would direct. (I've heard the Italians don't like Gus or his movies.)

My personal recommendation is not to waste your time with this movie. If you must watch this film, borrow a copy from a friend. If none of your friends own it, or you don't have any friends, rent a copy. If you are so absolutely obsessed with seeing this movie, to the point you just have to buy a copy, get one from Amazon Marketplace. Don't pay more than $5 or $6 for it, it's 90 minutes of your life you will never get back again.

1 Star for the Flick, 5 for the Juggs........2005-05-30

This movie was so low brow and low budget it was sad to watch.
It was more of a movie about Asia's secret passions, take the first scene in the trailer, getting taken from behind by the black guy...gimme a break.
The only thing and I mean the ONLY thing worth watching in this train wreck was the young woman toward the end with the HUGE breasts! I mean my mouth dropped at how sexy that woman was.
For the rest of the film...I spit on the time I wasted fast forwarding to the nudity.
Oops, I mean to the good parts.
LUV MOMS

Disjointed, disturbing, dysfunctional........2005-04-27

Disjointed, disturbing, dysfunctional.
All of these adjectives, apply to this semi-autobiographical movie. Anna Battista is a successful actress in Italy, whose life is a series of wrong decisions. The hectic and disordered life of a young successful actress is very well depicted. Ms. Argento has shot a promising movie. There are shades of Fellini in this film, there is tragedy and also some elation, and finally, hope. The DVD has an interview with Asia and a commentary by her on the movie. This adds some texture and enhances our understanding of the movie.
All in all, an interesting film to watch; but not for everyone. Buy it if you are an Asia Argento fan, or if you like Fellini.

Average customer rating:

Not bad for a directorial debut.
Vastly intriguing... but not for the reasons you might think...
I love Asia Argento...but absolutely HATED this movie
1 Star for the Flick, 5 for the Juggs.
Disjointed, disturbing, dysfunctional.

Scarlet Diva
Starring: Jeff Alexander , Gianluca Arcopinto , Paolo Bonacelli , David Brandon (II) , and Joe Coleman
Manufacturer: Shriek Show
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items: