Roman Polanski is no stranger to the slow and methodical leading of an audience into an ever deepening psychological world. Chinatown may be the quintessence of this, and even in something like the Pianist we can see his carefully timed shots and camera movements taking the audience step by step through the film. In Death and the Maiden, adapted from the stage play, we at times can see the Polanski that we all know and love, but through most of the film we are led drudgingly along with long, Tarkovski-esque camera pans and slow one shots. The acting work, however, generally makes up for any lack of cinematic intrigue, and Weaver offers one of her most interesting roles to date. Ben Kingsley, as a do-gooder turned into political prisoner, works his magic superbly as we wonder whether he is innocent or not. The script is well adapted to film, but for most people I think the film will drag with too many long monologues much better suited for stage than for screen.
Reviews
2 Reviews
After Dark, My Sweet
(1990)
A "Perfect" Bright Noir
5 March 2003
Foley's noir quality in this saturated and intense pulp film is seemingly "perfectly" fit together. Shot by shot, edit by edit, the film unfolds itself around a disturbed boxer discovering his own purpose (or lack thereof). The other comments around perhaps indicate a lack of pulp interest, but I personally think this is a superbly put together cinematic piece!
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