twentieth Century Fox / 20th Century Fox
Fifty years after its release , Phantom of the Paradisecontinues to rock the hearts and judgment of its devoted fans . pen and directed by Hollywood legend Brian De Palma ( Carrie ) , this motion picture follows marred and vengeful Isaac M. Singer - songwriter Winslow Leach ( William Finley ) who terrorizes a manufacturer ( Paul Williams ) for steal his medicine , ultimately sell his soul to him for the chance to tattle again .
Though the motion picture bomb at the box federal agency and received mostly negative criticism upon release , this melodious comedy has since gained a cult following akin to a alike classic from the 1970s , The Rocky Horror Picture Show . Now that the film is celebrating its 50th anniversary , it ’s prime time to survey whyPhantom of the Paradisehas go on to be considered an underrated gonzo masterpiece .
20th Century Fox / 20th Century Fox
A Phantom with style and flair to spare
Phantom of the Paradisealready presents a typical expression thanks to De Palma ’s trademark style of filming , which utilize a wide-eyed diversity of unusual tv camera shots . However , the film is mainly notable for its colorful , dazzling visuals and profligate costumes and sets , which channel and satirise the glitz and glamor of the euphony industry . watcher can even see suggestion of this motion-picture show ’s influence on musicians like Daft Punk and anime likeBerserk .
As it pokes play at the weird and wild populace of show line , the film also deliver some starring musical performances that should be taken in earnest . Featuring terrific tattle courtesy of Leach , Phoenix ( Jessica Harper ) , and the Juicy Fruits , to no one ’s surprisal , Phantom of the Paradisewas appoint for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for its original score .
The movie has oddball characters you won’t soon forget
Adding to the film ’s distinctive looking is its variety of flamboyant , oddball quality with their exuberant costumes . Paul Williams play the sinister villain Swan like a premix of Elton John and Mr. Burns . Meanwhile , the eccentric and vengeful Winslow becomes a fusion of the Phantom fromThe Phantom of the OperaandDarth Vaderwith his own dark shift that convey the tragedy of a man chewed up and ptyalise out by a unpitying manufacture .
SincePhantom of the Paradiseis filled with theatrical and over - the - top characters , Phoenix is the most normal person in this fever dream of a film . This creative choice conveys her lack of corruption at the hand of the music industry in which she endeavor to follow . It is also deserving note that the film feature a chilling tale from the fabled Rod Serling . This movie and its character could very much come directly out ofThe Twilight Zone .
How far are you willing to go to achieve your dream?
As the name implies , the film is very much a retell ofThe Phantom of the Opera , but with a contemporary twisting . AsPhantom of the Paradiseplaces this definitive taradiddle in the advanced geological era , it presents a phantasmagorical odyssey into the dark side of the musical amusement industry . The film read how executives like Swan exploit writers like Winslow and women like Phoenix to satisfy their own wicked desire , which risk corrupting their dupe with their evil .
Since the film shows how this industry takes advantage of such despairing and vulnerable mass dying to deliver the goods , it also explores the length masses will go to live up to their dreams and desires . Referencing the tale of Faust and Oscar Wilde’sThe Picture of Dorian Gray , Leach and Swan show what the great unwashed like them are willing to sacrifice to get what they want , selling their somebody for their vox and juvenility , respectively . Only Phoenix pull in it out of Swan ’s circle of Hell with her soul intact , makingPhantom of the Paradisea cautionary tale about avaritia and aspiration envelop in a glitzy , Gothic musical .
Phantom of the Paradiseis streaming onAmazon Prime Video .
