Das unheimliche Auge

Lamberto Bava followed up his nonsensical splatterfests "Demons" and "Demons 2" with the far less sanguine but infinitely more coherent giallo thriller "Delirium" (1987), aka "Photos of Gioia." In this one, voluMptuous Serena Grandi plays Gloria, publisher of a men's nudie mag called "Pussycat" (a character possibly based on Christie Hefner, who had assumed the helm at "Playboy" five years earlier), whose models have lately started to be gruesomely done away with by a serial killer. Many suspects abound, including Gloria's personal assistant (played by giallo vet Daria Nicolodi), her gay photographer, the wheelchair-bound Peeping Tom across the way, her duplicitous ex-lover (George Eastman), and a lesbian publishing rival (portrayed by Capucine, in one of her last roles). As far as those murders go, they are a fairly tame lot (for the viewer, that is!), employing a pitchfork, bumblebees (the bee attacks in the 1967 British film "The Deadly Bees" were much more hideous) and the usual slashings. We get to see some very interesting POV shots through the killer's eyes, and regard the victims as having eyeball and bee heads! Yes, this killer is one sick puppy, and his/her motivations, when ultimately revealed, are pretty friggin' twisted. Don't even try to guess, is my advice; just sit back and enjoy Serena's toothsome presence (the gal looks great in a soaking-wet negligee!), several genuinely suspenseful sequences (the one with the killer stalking Gloria through a department store is particularly good), the sumptuous sets, and Bava's often-flashy directorial touches. "Delirium" is not a top-drawer giallo, but it is well put together (like its star!), entertaining and often gripping. Nice work, Lamberto; papa Mario would have been proud!

This is such great trash. As a straight woman, I was insanely distracted by Serena Grandi's breasts throughout. I really don't know how she walks, let alone runs, with those things. I hope her back is ok. There were times when I was more concerned that she'd topple over and hit her head on a coffee table than get stabbed by the psycho killer who was after her.

It's fairly typical giallo stuff and feels a little like a less psychic Eyes of Laura Mars with a well off magazine editor finding out that her models are being killed off one by one. But this one comes with 100% more Daria Nicolodi, which is never a bad thing even if she gets nothing to do.

There's a suspenseful sequence in a department store, a wacky killer monologue/motivation, and some really surreal murder sequences where we see them through the killer's P.O.V. where he or she sees the victims as different kinds of strange insects or giant eyeballs. If someone can figure out what the creators were smoking or shooting up when they thought of this, I'd like some, please.

Lamberto Bava may not be as great as his father; master director Mario Bava, but you can always count on a good time when it comes to his movies - and while Delirium is certainly no masterpiece; Giallo fans will be satisfied with this sleazy story of murder and naked women! Italy's answer to Dolly Parton, Serena Grandi, stars as Gioia (the Italian answer to 'Gloria'), the owner of a porn magazine known as 'Pussycat'. The porn industry attracts a lot of attention for it's stars, and Pussycat magazine is no exception. One of Gloria's admirers is a wheelchair bound young man who spies on here from the sanctity of bedroom, and another 'admirer' is someone a little more psycho - someone that likes to kill Gloria's models, and then send her pictures of their mutilated corpses in front of a six foot picture of herself! Obviously, this leads our leading lady to assume that she's the next victim; as more and more of her models are killed, who could be the killer?

And what could possibly be their reason for slicing up such fine looking ladies? Lamberto Bava seems to know what audiences like - and this is shown by the way that Grandi's breasts are shown often. I have no problem with this; and I doubt anyone else with a will to see this film will either. The Giallo is a sub-genre soaked in sleaze, and Bava does a good job of implementing that style into this film by way of lots of nudity, and some graphic murders. The murders are a big part of any Giallo - and this one features the likes of murder by pitchfork, and the (apparently) famous bee murder scene! Really, the murders aren't the best ever seen in a Giallo; but they do the job. The acting is typically trashy, and it's always obvious how Serena Grandi won her role (clue: it wasn't acting talent). The cast is made up of unknowns (Giallo standard), with the exception of Daria Nicoladi. Dario Argento's frequent collaborator lights up the support cast, and gives the film an extra little bit of cult class. Lamberto Bava's films are often rated poorly by critics (both professional and amateur), but as usual; Delirium isn't all that bad. No masterpiece; but well worth seeing for the Giallo fan.

Delirium (1987)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Gloria (Serena Grandi) is a former model who struck gold making a magazine called Pussycat but it seems a secret admirer is about to cross the line. Pretty soon obnoxious phone calls are turning into someone murdering off the models that are working for Gloria.

Lamberto Bava was trying to not only make a film that looked and seemed like the work of his father but there's no question that there's a touch of Dario Argento as well. DELIRIUM isn't a completely successful movie but at the same time there are enough interesting and bloody murders mixed in with the sexploitation feel to where fans of the genre will find it to be worth a watch.

The film seems to not know if it wanted to be a naughty nude film or a giallo so we basically just get the best of both worlds. The film's plot certainly isn't the greatest or the most original but it's basically just here to show beautiful women being murdered and of course getting naked before hand. As a giallo it works to a point as the violence is certainly there as well as the actors and actresses ability to spit out blood as they are being wounded.

The film offers up a lot of nudity from the various women and that includes the lead Grandi. She's actually pretty good in the film has she's constantly showing off her body and in a rather hilarious way she does so at the end with the killer's request. You've also got George Eastman and Daria Nicolodi appearing in brief bits. Bava's direction is fine for this type of picture and he offers up some nice cinemaotgprahy and lighting.

DELIRIUM certainly isn't a masterpiece or even a good film but it's sleazy enough to where fans of the genre should enjoy it.

Gloria (gorgeous Serena Grandi) is a publisher of a girlie magazine called "Pussycat" that features nude photos of female models. But someone starts killing people around Gloria. And she becomes frightened for her own life. Whoever it is likes to deceive and trick others by playing mind games.

Characters in this Italian giallo are upscale, high-class people and the costumes and sets reflect that elegance. There's not as much suspense here as in other giallos. But one sequence that is suspenseful takes place inside a large clothing store full of mannequins. Having discovered a just-murdered person, the trapped Gloria searches for a way out, only to hear a weird voice from somewhere in the building: "Now it's your turn Gloria; you can't escape." About midway through the plot, there's a scene wherein the killer's motive is described through dialogue and visuals. But the clue is wonderfully subtle.

Cinematography gives us sharp, vibrant colors. But when someone is about to be murdered, we see that person from the killer's POV, at which time the sharp colors morph into color-saturated hues of blue or orange. And the intended victim wears an ugly mask, presumably to represent the ugliness of the killer's thought processes.

Near the end, at the reveal, the killer looks very different from the killer's previous persona of normality. A look of insanity, or madness, appears on that person's face, possibly the result of overacting. I was quite surprised as to who the killer was. Reviewing the plot, I determined that it was highly improbable, but I could not find any overt plot holes.

I could have wished for more suspense. And the acting leaves a lot to be desired. But "Delirium" is worth watching for the nudity, as well as for that clothing store sequence and surprise ending.