Director: Brian De Palma
Year: 1974
Country: US
Language: English
The film stars William Finley as a disfigured composer, who sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open his rock palace, The Paradise.
With Phantom of the Paradise, De Palma borrows from the usual cinematic forbears (Faust, The Phantom of the Opera, The Picture of Dorian Grey) and instills a high dosage of glam rock. The film is the physical embodiment of that era; showing the best and worst of the rock and roll lifestyle, while simultaneously sending viewers into a nostalgic frenzy The music is of its time, it certainly could never be duplicated nor outdone.
A rebellious anti-corporation picture, Paradise borders on self-satire as it seems to mock everything in sight. It's quite unusual; an eccentric, and cheesy, musical that hits all the right notes and comes of as wholly original. In addition to having your reality turned upside-down by it's surrealism, you will also find yourself enthralled by the score by Paul Williams. Each song is as memorable as it is creepy.
In conclusion, somebody super like you will get a kick out of this underrated cult flick. I would rate this among De Palma's best, even above Carrie (1976). It is a fascinating musical that I could never forget, even if I tried. When I watched this as a child I was understandably very confused by all the glitz and glamor "Why are all the men wearing glitter?" . Praise it! 4/5
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