It happens sometimes that a film will prioritize some particular element, and what suffers as a consequence is the storytelling. I think in this instance famed filmmaker Antonio Margheriti was fastidiously intent on fashioning a dark atmosphere of mystery and unease, but alongside co-writer Giovanni Simonelli, he went about it in the wrong way. Multiple characters, loose and scattered plot development, blunt and tactless scene writing and dialogue, and vague and indistinct narrative are seemingly substituted for the macabre airs that would manifest naturally from more earnest efforts at film-making and storytelling. This is not to say that 'Seven deaths in the cat's eyes' is altogether awful, but the tale comes across as fragmented and disjointed, assembled somewhat haphazardly. As a result the tension, suspense, and thrills that the picture would and should carry are left to flit about sporadically, like fireflies illuminating the night at random.
I like the production design and art direction, and the filming locations are swell. I think the cast give capable performances. Any effects we see look good, primarily blood. I quite enjoy Riz Ortolani's score, tense and somewhat unsettling as it lends to the grim ambience about the feature. All the work from behind the scenes is quite fine. I don't know how much any of this matters when the narrative presents in a way so fractured, irregular, and unconvincing that as a result many inclusions feel downright arbitrary - and therefore overdone as a result. I've effectively checked out well before the climax, and it's a struggle to keep awake. As concise and promising as the premise is, in execution the result is an overwrought, troubled slog.
I trust that other people have gotten more out of this movie than I have. I don't completely hate it; I see what it could have been. In my opinion, however, the substance is trumped by style, and even the style is questionable. Watch it if you want; I think your time is better spent otherwise.
I like the cat, though.
I like the production design and art direction, and the filming locations are swell. I think the cast give capable performances. Any effects we see look good, primarily blood. I quite enjoy Riz Ortolani's score, tense and somewhat unsettling as it lends to the grim ambience about the feature. All the work from behind the scenes is quite fine. I don't know how much any of this matters when the narrative presents in a way so fractured, irregular, and unconvincing that as a result many inclusions feel downright arbitrary - and therefore overdone as a result. I've effectively checked out well before the climax, and it's a struggle to keep awake. As concise and promising as the premise is, in execution the result is an overwrought, troubled slog.
I trust that other people have gotten more out of this movie than I have. I don't completely hate it; I see what it could have been. In my opinion, however, the substance is trumped by style, and even the style is questionable. Watch it if you want; I think your time is better spent otherwise.
I like the cat, though.