The Psychic (1977)


I am one of those strange people that prefer Lucio Fulci's gialli to his horror films.  While those movies are well-made and visually appealing they are also quite surreal, whether intended or not.  There is a lot of effort put into making them as similar to Dario Argento's work as possible, while Fulci's earlier films seemed more of an effort by an artist to blaze his own path.  

Besides, much of what would be in his later movies is present in his works from the 1970s.  They don't hold back on the blood or the sex - even though The Psychic is devoid of the latter - and they still have some crazy, and controversial, plot twists on occasion.  What I like about them, however, is that unlike most movies in the genre they are straightforward mysteries that are fun to work out while watching them. 

Virginia Ducci (Jennifer O'Neill) is a clairvoyant who often has visions of things that have happened or that will happen.  Problem is they aren't consistent, something that frustrates her parapsychologist friend Luca (Marc Porel) and completely baffles her husband Francesco (Gianni Garko).  In this case she sees a vision of a woman being murdered by being beaten and walled up.  While her husband is away she decides to renovate his family estate as a surprise and finds the room where the murder occurred, even finding a skeleton in the wall.

Francesco is eventually arrested once the woman is identified and he admits to having an affair with her prior to meeting Virginia.  In order to clear his name Virginia, with help of Luca and her sister-in-law Gloria (Ida Galli), begins to investigate.  As the clues pile up it appears that someone in power may have been responsible for the girl's death and that Virginia may be getting too close to the truth. 

One thing that helps The Psychic (also known as The Seven Black Notes) is that, unlike most Italian films, dubbing was done sparingly.  The movie was made for the English market and so all the main characters, regardless of nationality or accents, speak English, thus the acting isn't compromised by having to hire other actors to do the dialog.  This is refreshing because The Psychic is well-written, even if it does get a bit slow-paced in the middle.

Like Don't Torture a Duckling it also uses supernatural themes but uses them toward a logical end.  There are the usual red herrings and such, but the killer in this one was a bit harder to guess, although it all comes together once aspects of the investigation become apparent.  Jennifer O'Neill is, of course, the standout in this, providing a strong heroine who finds herself facing danger even though it may hit home more than she expects.

The Psychic (1977)
Time: 90 minutes
Starring: Jennifer O'Neill, Gianna Garko, Marc Porel, Gabriele Ferzetti
Director: Lucio Fulci

 

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