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Angel Of Death

2002, Movie, R, 93 mins

Angel Of Death: Review

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This horror movie/anti-fascist tract envisions political oppression as a spiritual monster with many human manifestations. Renowned Spanish detective Maria Delgado (Mira Sorvino) returns to Seville during Holy Week and welcomes the comradeship of her senior officer, Torillo (Feodor Atkine), while ignoring the sexism of his junior partner, Quemada (Olivier Martinez.) Mariais first case is a doozy: Notoriously flamboyant artists the "Angel Twins" have been fatally stabbed and then posed to resemble a religious mural from the Church of St. Matthew. The juxtaposition of sadomasochism and sacred art leads to the Brotherhood of Christ, a questionable religious cult whose members include both celebrities like the Angel Brothers and prominent citizens. Maria examines Seville's history in search of clues, and wonders about the significance of where the double homicide took place: At the home of Dona Catalina Lucena (Alida Valli), whose family was executed by fascists. Don Manuel (Jose M. Blanco), who own a school for matadors, tells Torillo and Maria that the late Don Antonio Alvarez (Luis Tosar), Franco's one-time henchman, was also a member of the Brotherhood. Don Manuel reveals that a certain celebrated bullfighter acknowledges that Don Alvarez was his father, but while tabloid hacks have dubbed the killer "El Matador," the police refuse to acknowledge a connection. Just as the investigation shifts into second gear, a red-hooded maniac strikes cult leader Castaneda (Peter Berling) at the Brotherhood’s headquarters. As Maria explores the odd symbiosis of religion and politics, she returns to Dona Catalina, who reveals that Alvarez Sr. raped and impregnated her during the Spanish Civil War. Has her bastard child chosen to avenge his father's sullied reputation as a war criminal? And it goes without saying that the rapacious Don Alvarez fathered other sons; as these siblings resurface in a bloody reunion, Maria realizes she can't even trust the members of her own squad: Don Alvarez may have also sired a policeman. Too many subplots and awkward dubbing mar what could have been an interesting thriller. While its ambition is laudable, the film suffers from Pepe Danquart's ineffective direction, and of the cast, only the legendary Valli aquits herself with genuine distinction. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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