Occhi di cristallo

Eyes of Crystal is certainly a very welcome film. Good Giallo's are few and far between these days, and this is easily the best that I've seen since 2001's Sleepless, which in turn is the best since Argento made the fantastic 'Opera' back in 1987. The film isn't a lot like the Giallo's of the seventies (the golden period of the style), as the picture is largely glossy and clear and overall, the film is more character orientated than the murder fuelled classic Giallo structure; in fact, I'd say that this film is more like the hit thriller Seven than any film by Dario Argento or Sergio Martino. The plot has two main areas; firstly, it's a film about a police investigation into a series of murders, and secondly it's the story of the investigating officer wrestling with his conscience as he tries to solve the crimes. The plot starts off properly as a brutal triple murder is committed, and from there we follow the investigation into the murder, and see how the police pick up small clues to try and track the killer.

Director Eros Puglielli injects his film with a slick sense of style as he directs the action through a number of different angles. The film features many scenes that really are beautiful; the favourite of mine being the sequence that sees the police enter a murder scene in the dark with torches. The music is less frantic than that seen in previous Giallo films, and tends to be of a more searing nature, which helps to elevate the film over and above the story of murder and policemen that it is. I have to say that the music does go over the top at times, but generally it fits the scene. The main problem with this film, however, stems from the plot. The murders are grisly and gruesome, but it becomes too obvious where it's all going too quickly, and the reason behind the killings is hardly original, and since it's also rather silly; it almost undoes all the hard work that has gone into the film up until the final twist is revealed. Giallo's have never been known for completely making sense and staying away from silly story lines - but Eyes of Crystal tries to go over and above the common tradition, and doesn't completely succeed. Even so, this is a quality thriller with good acting and fine direction which, when combined with the fact that this is the best Giallo in ages, means that Eyes of Crystal is well worth seeing.