Argento was inspired to make Opera after commenting that he dislikes it when audiences turn away from his gore and violence before stating that, if he could, he would sellotape needles under their eyes to ensure that they do not blink. It is that central premise (and image) that drives Opera, an underrated late 80s effort from the controversial director. The film centres around insecure opera singer Betty's attempts to outwit a black-gloved killer who is murdering those close to her and forcing her to watch it with the old needles-under-the-eyes trick. The plot, as usual with Argento, comes secondary to the truly spectacular visual elements and style. Of particular note is the sequence where the character played by Daria Nicolodi (Argento's former partner and mother of Asia) is shot through the eye as she is looking through a keyhole. To pull it off required state-of-the-art techniques, as well as for Daria to have a small (but dangerous) amount of explosives attached to the back of her head. Arguably Argento's last great film, before the rot set in...
