Scherzo Diabolico
Mexico | USA 2015
Written by Adrián García Bogliano
Directed by Adrián García Bogliano
Watched on 24.09.2015

I know that I start to sound like a broken record, but it’s not my fault that “Scherzo Diabolico” is yet another movie from this years /slash Filmfestival that starts off strong, only to completely derail afterwards. I really liked the setup. How Aram prepares for the kidnapping in an incredibly cold, calculated and methodical fashion. The (mostly) clever way he ultimately goes about his dark deed. I also liked that his motivation isn’t sexual or anything like that, but instead rather mundane. And the short part where he actually is successful and gets everything that he wants was quite joyful. If only they would have had the balls to end the movie right there.

Unfortunately, you seemingly can’t have a criminal getting away for once, because what kind of message would that send? Thus, he of course had to get what he deserves – and more. And as is that wouldn’t have already been enough, the reason for why they would ultimately catch him after all was sooooo fucking apparent. I mean, come on. Everybody knows that he loves classical music, he listens to it all the time, and he even recommends the same CD to his boss that he later plays while he kidnaps the girl? How fucking stupid can you be? It’s like if I would commit a crime while listening to soundtracks, or Queen. Everybody knows that I love soundtracks, and Queen. But since I’d be a far more clever criminal, I’d actually listen to punk music or hip hop, so that no one would find me out. Anyway, that was really terrible – even more so because it didn’t fit the fact that apart from this glaring mistake, Aram actually acted extremely clever when planning and committing his crime. Thus, this seemed incredibly forced, like Adrián García Bogliano couldn’t think of another, better way to bust him. Also: I get that she’s traumatized by what happened to her, but despite that, I simply couldn’t believe her – extremely violent – reaction to hearing that music again. That just was completely implausible for me. Finally, the revenge that she finally undertakes bears no relation to the crime committed, which is why I had a hard time rooting for her – but obviously also for him. Thus, I couldn’t root for anybody, and accordingly, didn’t really care that much about what happened to whom. Which made the finale – which also presented a rather blatant tonal shift, with all the gore and splatter – very dull. I already wasn’t that keen on “Here Comes the Devil” (which was completely misogynistic) and “Late Phases” (ok, but nothing special) – but “Scherzo Diabolico” really takes the cake. That’s strike three – you’re out!
3/10

IMDB