Ruggero Deodato (1939–2022)

"Un Delitto Poco Comune” is a gialloesque horror thriller, best known as either “Phantom of Death” or “Off Balance”, revolving around the successful and attractive concert pianist Robert Dominici (Michael York). Dominici is living the good life, even down to his beautiful on / off girlfriend Hélène (Edwige Fenech). Unfortunately his life is thrown into disarray when his doctor informs him that he has a strange and rare genetic disease that will cause his body to age at an increasingly rapid rate. Shortly after this a series of brutal murders of young women starts and police inspector Datti (Donald Pleasence) is brought in to lead the hunt for the killer. Datti is initially baffled by the killings, as they seem to have the same modus operandi but the DNA recovered from each successive scene seems to suggest a perpetrator of differing ages. When Dominici learns that Hélène is pregnant his mental state deteriorates even further and he set out to murder her in order that his genes are not passed on to the child. “Un Delitto Poco Comune” is an interesting film rather than a great one. Directed by Ruggero Deodato, who delivers some flashy set-pieces and some nice photography, but who unfortunately allows the overall story to become a bit too disjointed in places, thereby giving the flow and pacing a strangely abrupt feel. There is little mystery built either, with both Deodato and screenwriter Gianfranco Clerici eschewing both the who-done-it and the gorier potential within the narrative to focus instead on a more introspective take on the aging process and how life can simply pass you by if you’re not careful. This theme is well-handled and brought to vivid life by Michael York. York is usually quite a stiff and insipid actor, but here he gives a surprisingly intense and nuanced performance, which despite his insanely murderous behaviour ends up delivering a high degree of pathos and he even ends up making us feel a level of sympathy for his plight. The special effects are also well handled with the handsome, urbane, sophisticated York slowly transforming into a rotting, bald, wizened monster who coughs up blood and spits out teeth. Donald Pleasance is a steady influence at the centre of the film, but he looks tired and jaded throughout – whether through performance choices or whether though boredom with typecasting is open to debate. The beautiful Edwige Fenech is underused as the girlfriend, but she has tons of presence and charisma, lighting up the screen whenever she appears. The score is by Pino Donaggio and although it isn’t his best work it is still fairly effective. Overall “Un Delitto Poco Comune” is a lesser film in Deodato's oeuvre and although it’s not a giallo classic it is still an entertaining and original piece. It is an intelligent and poignant film – more a horrific drama about the aging process and imminent death than a typical giallo slasher.… (meer)