Phantom of the Paradise - A Rockin' AAAAAHHHH!!!

Phantom of the Paradise (1974) is a departure for director Brian de Palma. Brian de Palma is most known for his mobster films and his suspenseful scary films. But this musical is all that and so much, so much more. Although it is arguable that Paul Williams' original music sets the mood and ties all the...the craziness together, it would be unfair to discount Brian de Palma's script that melds both Faust and Phantom of the Opera into one coherent ( and superior, at least to the novel Phantom of the Opera) story.

Much of the musical numbers in this film are tied directly to events in the story. Because the film is about a music producer and various bands, the musical performances are easily inserted as auditions, rehearsals, and performances. While all the music is written by Paul Williams, the musical numbers vary from 50's rock to 70's metal. If I'm not mistaken, Paul Williams also composed the film score, which plays a significant role in progressing the story by matching the moods and pacing of various scenes.

Let's not forget the brilliant directing by Brian de Palma. While his directing is mostly unnoticeable (one of the signs of a good director), he always inserts at least one if not more inventive, engaging, and enhancing scene. For instance in Phantom of the Paradise, there is a split-screen scene in which one half follows an aptly placed bomb and the other follows the targets, a surfer band who are rehearsing. While the concept of the two parallel scenes is enough to enhance the tension and suspense, Brian de Palma takes it one step further by making each scene one continuous shot.

While all these elements are important to the overall enjoyment of this film, the plot, the acting, the costumes, and set designs are what make meat of the film; and the meat is fantastic. The film is able to take an epic story of love-betrayal-love-betrayal-revenge-love in 92 minutes, which is totally unheard of in this day-and-age (2012) of 2 and 1/2 hour epics (or even 3 film epics). The acting is very strong, even by new-comer Jessica Harper, and by musician/composer Paul Williams. The costumes and sets are outrageous adding that extra camp to this well-crafted musical.

I loved this film. If you like musicals, Paul Williams, 50's rock, Brian de Palma or just fun campy times, check this film out.