FILM

REVIEW: DONT LOOK NOW (1973) Dir. Nicholas Roeg

Cast/Crew Directed by Nicolas Roeg Produced by Peter Katz Screenplay by Allan Scott, Chris Bryant Based on "Don't Look Now" by Daphne du Maurier Starring Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland Music by Pino Donaggio Cinematography Anthony B. Richmond Synopsis Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland star as a married couple whose lives become complicated after meeting two elderly sisters in Venice, one of whom claims to be clairvoyant and informs them that their recently deceased daughter is trying to contact them and warn them of danger. It is an independent British and Italian co-production, filmed in England and Italy, and adapted from the short story by Daphne du Maurier. While Don't Look Now observes many conventions of the thriller genre, its primary focus is on the psychology of grief, and the effect the death of a child can have on a relationship. Its emotionally convincing depiction of grief is often singled out as a trait not usually present in films featuring supernatural plot elements. (Wikipedia)

 Fig 2, Sutherland shows heart wrenching despair From the synopsis this film appears to be exploring grief, anger and learning to live after the loss of a child. It suggests ambiguity in that the couple will hold it together or they wont either they will sail off into the metaphorical sunset or it will end in divorce or even suicide. It offers neither ending: instead there is a nasty twist and an unexpected violent end that doesnt fit the themes in the film. The viewer goes through the mothers despair, grief and hope, and the fathers anger and avoidance of dealing with the situation. The viewer is then left out in the cold at the end; the film is never resolved satisfactorily. Reviewing for the Guardian Peter Bradshaw felt that Christine's death is a terrible accident, and yet the staging here implies something willed a grotesque, parodic christening ceremony which is a sinister symbol or prophecy of another death still to come (2011). So clearly there were clues, not least the running motifs of the red coat and the water. Bradshaw adds, The red coat symbolises the tonal ambiguity, or superimposition of the erotic and the uncanny. Pathos and grief become fear and horror, overlaid with an insistent sensual charge. The figure in the red coat is both agonisingly vulnerable and menacing, and only in the final moments do we understand that combination. The use of Doppelgangers, glass and image reproduction enhance the uncanny effect.

Fig 3 doppelgangers Critic Roger Ebert seems to feel the same way this isn't a movie like "Rosemary's Baby," where you can never quite be sure there's not some rational explanation(1973). He suggests taking the supernatural element at face value and his review seems focussed on the particularly graphic love scene, which was controversial for the time.

Beautifully filmed in Venice, the desaturation forces the viewer to notice the red motifs, and the cinematography echoes the narrow streets and claustrophobic feeling of the subject matter. Time Out reviewer Jay Cocks felt that thanks to their superb performances the film had a "rigorous psychological truth and an emotional timbre" that most other films in the supernatural genre lacked (1973); and perhaps it is this psychological truth that leaves the viewer with an unpleasant and unsatisfied feeling at the end. ILLUSTRATIONS Fig 1 Theatre Poster online at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Look_Now [accessed on 06/12/11] Fig 2 - http://www.phinnweb.org/roeg/films/dontlooknow.html[accessed on 06/12/11] Fig 4 - http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/935547--best-u- k-film-ever-don-t-look-now?bn=1[accessed on 06/12/11] BIBLIOGRAPHY Bradshaw, P (2011) Dont Look Now (for The Guardian) online at http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jan/18/dont-look-now-red-coat [accessed on 05/12/11] Cocks, J (1973) Time Out Review online at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908304-1,00.html [accessed on 5/12/11] Ebert, R (1973) Dont Look Now Review online at http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19731220/REVIE WS/312200301/1023 [Accessed on 5/12/11]