Trauma

TRAUMA

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Technovision)

Sound format: Dolby Stereo

A TV newsroom artist (Mark Rydell) helps a distraught anorexic (Asia Argento) to investigate the death of Argento's mother (Piper Laurie) at the hands of a monstrous serial killer.

Though often cited as the film which signalled a creative downturn in Dario Argento's career, TRAUMA is actually a much better entry than its reputation suggests. The victim of spotty theatrical distribution and horrendous pan-scanned video versions - which reduce the wide Technovision frame to a mere shadow of its former self - the film is an exercise in giallo excess, culminating in one of the finest Grand Guignol set-pieces of this director's long career. Indeed, far from providing evidence of 'creative decline', TRAUMA is actually a fine addition to Argento's filmography, and is ripe for reappraisal.

Despite its American setting, the film is defiantly European in style and execution, employing ultra-wide scope framing, inventive camera-work (including a bizarre shot from the point-of-view of a butterfly!!), ornate narrative structure and eccentric characterizations. It's no wonder some of the supporting American players seem a little disconcerted by the director's unconventional approach (including Frederic Forrest as a doctor sporting an unexplained neck-brace, and James Russo as a typically hard-boiled cop, always one step behind the film's youthful protagonists)! And the script - co-written by Argento and celebrated fantasy author T.E.D. Klein - adheres faithfully to the giallo template, punctuating its convoluted storyline with several grisly murders (though not *that* grisly, considering the involvement of makeup wiz Tom Savini), and a number of compelling set-pieces: The seance which ends in murder; the mental institution where the killer disposes of an important 'clue'; the room full of billowing drapes (an authentic stroke of genius); and the climactic revelation of the killer's motive, which is so utterly horrific, it almost justifies his/her gruesome rampage. The movie ain't called TRAUMA for nothing!

At least two other versions of the film have surfaced in bootleg video form over the years, both of which plug a number of gaping editorial gaps in the official 'director's cut' (note, for instance, the abrupt introduction of Rydell and Asia at the beginning of the film), which indicates either distributor problems or a rushed post-production schedule. This may explain why Pino Donaggio's half-hearted score sounds like it was written and recorded before completion of principal photography and tailored to match the finished product, rather than the other way around. The cast is a typical Argentonian mixed bag: Asia portrays the same joyless harpy she's played in all her collaborations with Argento to date (including THE STENDHAL SYNDROME and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), leaving Rydell to shoulder most of the film's emotional burden as a young man who learns to accept Asia's flaws whilst simultaneously falling in love with her (few) virtues. Frankly, she doesn't deserve him! Laurie makes much of her limited screen time as Asia's domineering mother, while Brad Dourif (the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy) plays a former doctor whose guilty conscience comes back to haunt him in the worst possible way. Watch out for ex-"Falcon Crest" star Laura Johnson in a brief but creepy performance (her final scene is genuinely chilling) as an ambitious TV news anchorwoman who tries to stake her claim on Rydell in no uncertain terms.

Italian's top-class horror director Dario Argento obviously impressed some people with his previous films ('Opera' in particular) as he was offered the opportunity to film a fully American backed production. Trauma is a gruesome and sadistic thriller from the giallo-master, completely set in Minnesota and depending on a respectable US cast. There's a serial decapitator at large and the young, anorexic Aura (director's daughter Asia Argento) seemly is his/her main-target. The good-hearted journalist David (Christopher Rydell) takes the girl under his wings after the killer got both of her parents and, as their relationship becomes more intimate, the routine of sadistic killings slowly emerges. A bone-chilling mystery from the past slowly unravels and it involves multiple (ex-)doctors from a psychiatric clinic.

The plots in gialli rarely are credible so you can count on the fact that this 'Trauma' contains several far-fetched nonsense aspects as well. Especially the U-turn twist near the end is pretty hard to digest. My advise: don't pay too much attention to this and drown in Argento's brilliant as always camera movements and the stunning portrayal of the violence. Trauma may not be as bloody as 'Tenebrae' or the more recent 'Sleepless' but some of the butchering done here still is perfectly nauseating. What else do you expect with a killer whose modus operandi includes beheading people? Unfortunately, Argento still lacks the skills to direct his actors. You can't even blame the dubbing this time, but the performances are far below average. Asia Argento is forgiven, since it was her first leading role. But I expected a little better from routine B-stars like Frederic Forrest, Piper Laurie and James Russo. Brad Dourif is a joy to observe, but his appearance is far too brief to save the dull acting. To me, Trauma turned out to be a pleasant Sunday afternoon time-waster. Not nearly Argento's most memorable film (he hasn't made any memorable film in the 90's) but maybe the ideal film for inexperienced horror fans to get into contact with Argento's work. All the trademarks that made him legendary in the field are present, but none of them is properly elaborated like it should be.

A young man (Christopher Rydell) finds an bulimic girl (Asia Argento) who has escaped her parents. When returned to them, a killer with a unique mechanical decapitation device strikes. Soon, the two must find out who the killer is, and what they want.

Released in 1993, "Trauma" has received some flak from Dario Argento fans, who consider it one of his weaker efforts. In a way, I can agree-the movie has several plot holes, the acting is largely hit and miss (Asia is pretty inexperienced here), and it's not as gory and stylish as his other films.

Yet, there's still plenty to recommend in this movie. The movie is Argento's more character and plot oriented films, and it's surprisingly easy to follow. There's also still plenty of Argento's wonderful stylish touches, and while not as gory as his previous movies, there's still some great kills (including a great bit involving an elevator). The score by Pino Donnaggio, while not as good as Argento's past musicians, is still up to task. Finally, the presence of several acting vets (including James Russo, Brad Dourif, Frederic Forrest, and an excellent Piper Laurie) don't hurt at all.

"Trauma" is not Argento's best movie, and certainly pales in comparison to movies like "Deep Red", "Suspiria", and "Inferno." As it stands though, it's an underrated movie, and worth a look, especially if you are an Argento fan.

An anorexic teenager sees her parents murdered and thinks the killer could be coming after her next, so it's up to a struggling addict to keep her safe.

Dario Argento's flair for over the top gory set pieces isn't as noticeable here and everything feels more calm and by the numbers, but every now and then, there's a shot or sequence that feels like old fashioned Argento and those moments are worth watching it for. It's also interesting to see a film of his that appears to use all live audio from the set and that takes place in America. It's jarring at first, but you get used to it.

When I picked up TRAUMA at the vid-store, I wasn't really expecting much from it. I'm not a big Argento fan, but I do enjoy Italian horror/cult films. I have to say, I was totally impressed by it! It was a surprisingly great horror-suspense film with great camera work & gore as well. A lot of familiar faces in this film including James Russo, Cristopher Rydell, and Piper Laurie who you might remember from THE FACULTY. Also the lovely Asia Argento who commands the movie like she did in Michele Soavi's THE CHURCH.

Before URBAN LEGEND, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER 16, & SCREAM 3000 there was Dario Argento's TRAUMA. And if you enjoyed any of those similar movies you should love this one as well. Except this one is ten times more scarier and realistic with tons of unexpected plot twists that would put all those movies to shame. Its just too bad Argento doesn't make any more horror movies 'round these parts.