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Copyright 1993 Audifilm-Urania Film. MPAA Rating: R for violence, gore, strong sexuality and some language. STARRING: Rupert Everett .... Francesco Dellamorte Anna Falchi .... She François Hadji-Lazaro .... Gnaghi Mickey Knox .... Marshall Straniero Fabiana Formica .... Valentina Anton Alexander .... Franco DIRECTED BY: Michele Soavi Horror is a strange film genre. Without much difficulty horror films can generally be separated into two distinct categories; those that take themselves seriously, and those that attempt to meld horror and humor. Most of the time neither type of film is successful, however the former certainly has a spottier track record than the later. Cemetery Man is something of a trans-category piece. It's widely debatable as to whether or not it is intended as a genuine 'horror' piece, or as a spoof, and in the case of either category; Cemetery Man stands out as something completely different. Delamore Delamorte is the young caretaker at a cemetery in a rather quirky Italian town. With his faithful, and mentally...deficient assistant Gnaghi he is responsible for burying the dead, caring for their graves, and killing them again when they rise-up within a week of their burial. That's basically the premise of Cemetery Man. These two are responsible for keeping the dead from destroying the town, but no one believes them. The police chief is the biggest...skeptic is not the right word, because it's not that the people doubt Delamore's claims, it's more like they do not hear them, but anyhow, the police chief doesn't believe it. Even after he finds the mayor dead with his daughter's severed head the most likely suspect. The rest of the characters are just as delightfully quirky; the mayor insists on calling Delamore an 'Engineer' despite Delamore's constant insistence that he is not one, an old woman visits the cemetery everyday for no particular reason, and even Death makes an appearance to lecture Delamore about not killing the dead. Rupert Everett makes such a perfect anti-hero that it really has to be seen to be believed. Here is an actor that most people will associate with films like My Best Friend's Wedding killing hoards of both the living and the dead with such style and grace that you would swear he was born to it. It's a true shame that he didn't make more of these types of films because his portrayal of Delamore manages to rank up there with the Greats; Bruce Campbell as Ash and Jeffery Combs as Herbert West. The other actors are also excellent, giving completely appropriate 'almost' over-the-top performances, particularly French rock musician François Hadji-Lazaro as the almost mute Gnaghi. He and Rupert Everett have the perfect chemistry on screen and his quiet, child-like performance is a great contrast to Delamore's poetic ravings. One of the best things about Cemetery Man is that it is not like a traditional zombie film. In fact, the zombies almost seem to take the backseat as the film focuses largely on Delamore's [very] ill-fated quest for love. In that quest lies the film's true strength; its ability to play like an art-film without falling into the trappings usually associated with them. It's a very smart film, filled with symbolism and imagery, but it doesn't beat the viewer over the head with them. This is black comedy done to perfection. biting, harsh and not for everyone's taste. That is unfortunately one of Cemetery Man's only downfalls, it's not for everyone; it's not even for every horror fan. Many will find it too long-winded and not focused enough on the horror aspects, some will find it too 'artsy' [in an odd twist, most art-film fans will find it too much like standard horror.] It manages to walk a very thin line, one step in either direction would make it more accessible to fan's of the corresponding genre, but as it is, it will not appeal to many. Those that do sit through Cemetery Man are in for a rare treat; genuinely intelligent, humorous horror. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't get much better. PIG RATINGS! [each rating is on a scale of 1 through 10.] GORE - 8.2 SENSELESS VIOLENCE - 9.0 HUMAN CRUSHING FACTOR - 6.8 FUN - 9.8 OVERALL [not an average] - 8.3 |