Daily effortpost (Limited edition)

Stroheim theatrical. The whole thing is hampered by several stage acts that are mid as fvck (except for the spider web one, that was great) but thankfully they show up after a fantastical first act. The main core of this film is the psychology of Gabbo; he is a tragic character, he tyrannizes others because of his inner disgraced turmoil as a washed up artist. Neurotic, superstitious and prone to bouts of histrionic anger. I think this one is a strange case of a low fidelity title translation actually working for good: the spanish title is 'El otro yo' (The Other Me), and it fits to the film like a ring to a finger. The dummy Otto works as an exteriorization of Gabbo's bicameral mind, of his ambiguous thoughts, sometimes it's hinted as if it was an alternative -more tender- split personality of his. Liked the little details in Stroheim's behavior, which betray his words of having changed. He lies to his love and he lies to himself, the tormented tyrant. 6.5/10