Dellamorte, Dellamore
I love this movie. It is one of the few real gems to come out of the 1990s. I am so bored by American cinema that is obsessed with action and special effects. There seems to be so little in terms of an actual message or underlying idea. It's the same recycled plot, told the same way, just with more realistic CGI. Fucking lame. This movie hit the streets in Italy in 1994, but didn't make it to the States until about 1996 retitled The Cemetary Man. It had some art house showings in major cities, but it was so poorly publicised, it barely even got noticed.
I suppose one could argue that this, like all zombie movies, is just another version of Night of the Living Dead, and to a degree I would have to admit you are right, but it is so much more. I wish the US release of this film had literally translated the title instead of substituting. The original Italian (Of Death, Of Love), offers so many more clues about this film. The main character (Dellamorte) is very complex and well developed. He is definately the quintessential outsider, but he really doesn't yearn for anything more than his droll existence until he falls in love with a young widow. Upon her death, he spirals downward until at one point, addressing Death he says, "We are no different. We kill out of indifference and love, not hatred..." A very interesting (and at times comical) exploration of a man with a job to do and the interferance of love.
For some reason, this movie was never released on DVD in the US. There is a VHS release, although it is difficult to find. If you can get your hands on this movie, I highly recommend it.