Scarlet Diva Movie Review

Were it not for her semi-famous father, director Dario Argento, Asia Argento would undoubtedly by wading thigh-deep through the porn industry right now. She may as well be: Scarlet Diva, her semi-fictionalized life story (written by, directed by, and starring herself), has the poor Italian girl whoring her way across Europe as she experiences rock shows, drug deals, and domestic violence -- though her movie alter-ego "Anna Battista" is far more famous than Asia will ever be.

What's up with Anna's friend, who she discovers hogtied on a bed and is promptly punched in the face by her boyfriend, only to declare her love for the guy? What's with all the tattoos and the silver pants? The point of the armpit-shaving scene is... what? In the end this is a movie about Argento's comfort level with nudity (high), apparent love of smoking (also high), and gleeful self-destruction (off the charts!). Those looking for more depth (or even titillation) out of the faux-lesbian quickies and pseudo-bondage fun needn't bother.