MovieChat Forums > Dead Again (1991) Discussion > What was the Subject of Roman's Opera?

What was the Subject of Roman's Opera?


Hi.
We watched this movie in my English class and I loved it, but I have a question:
Does anyone know what the subject matter might have been for Roman's opera? I don't think it mentions it in the movie, but I have a few guesses as to what it could be:

Since the story centers around jealousy, my first assumption is that it could be the story of Othello. There are a lot of parallels to Dead Again--Roman thinks Margaret's having an affair, so does Othello, Margaret dies a tragic death, so does Othello's wife.

Another possibility, I think, is it could have been an opera about The Phantom of the Opera. There are a lot of Phantom references in this film, even more than the ones to support the Othello theory, but, since I'm a rabid "Phan", it could be that I just look for those references. Anyway, what I found is:
*Margaret picks up the mask and Roman says, "It's for an opera I'm working on," and she replies, "You're writing an opera about a monster?"
*When we see Margaret and Roman dancing at the beginning of the first flashback, the camera sweeps up to the chandelier above them (the Phantom cut down the chandelier of the Opera House).
*Roman is a struggling composer, as was Erik (the Phantom).
*Margaret and Roman attend a costume party--the three main characters in Phantom also attended a masquerade
*Roman sees Margaret and Mr. Baker together and assumes the worst. Also, he spies on them while wearing his black (I think that's what color it was, even though it was in black and white) mask. That part reminded me very much of the rooftop scene in Phantom. Also, Erik wore a black mask.
*Roman, at one point, sits at the piano and composes while wearing his mask, as Erik would have. Maybe he was trying to get into character?
*Roman dies shortly after losing his wife. Granted, he was executed, but Erik also died shortly after losing Christine--he dies of a broken heart.

So, what do you think?

Nevermore!

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I thought it was wholly original, but it may have touched on themes such as jealousy.

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