William Finley as the Phantom

Since the film is a comedy, you shouldn’t expect to have a majestic Phantom. He would look all the more foolish for trying to maintain his dignity in a cast of characters that includes a 50’s style band called the Juicy Fruits under Swan’s label. This Phantom works better then, when viewed, as he should be, as a comedic buffoon loosely based on Leroux’s Phantom. While this might come off as insulting to many die-hard fans, it works out well enough in the end. If fact, the change from so many dark and brooding labyrinth haunters can be refreshing, if given a chance Finley can charm anyone.

OK, he haunts the Paradise, and not an opera house, but Finley’s Phantom holds his own in the end. He has a lot of scene-stealing methods, including the horrible grimaces and strange contortions he launches into at the keyboard. Or the way he inclines his masked head, looking more like a silver parrot than any Phantom. That’s not to say that there isn’t an underlying sweetness here somewhere. This Phantom clearly loves Phoenix and tries to take her away to safety. But he acts too late and consequently loses her.

The character of Phoniex as portrayed by Jessica Harper transforms throughout the movie. When we first meet her she is sweetly naïve, waiting eagerly to try out for a part in Swan’s stolen production. But it doesn’t take long under the evil producer’s influence for her to abandon poor Winslow and adopt a wilder lifestyle. At the end the transformation is so convincing, that the viewer will feel like cheering when the Phantom loses he to Swan. This film constitutes a good acting job on Harper’s part, and an interesting commentary on the role of Christine.

Phantom of the Paradise is a delightful and satiric romp through the world of record producing, or the parts they could show you, at any rate. The cast puts up well with a rather humiliating brand of comedy, and the music, written by Paul Williams is a delight to hear. Viewers just have to remember that artistic license is the name of the game here, and nothing is held sacred. But the film must be applauded for its willingness to offend, Shakespearian style in the name of entertainment.

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