Don’t Look Now (1973).
“Please, let him not gooooooooo…”
Directed by Nicolas Roeg
Written by Allan Scott and Chris Bryant based on a story by Daphne Du Maurier
Starring Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie, Hilary Mason, Clelia Matania, and Venice
1. (The Stage)
John and Laura Baxter, still reeling from a family tragedy, head to Venice for a season so that John can help restore an old church. While there, Laura meets a pair of sisters, one of whom is blind and claims that she can receive messages from the dead. As their time in Venice continues, things start to get more and more strange.
2. (The Good)
There’s a lot to unpack here. Don’t Look Now has been on my to-watch list for what feels like ages, and I just had never gotten around to it. I heard that it had a very creepy atmosphere, and on that note the film delivered. The chilling score really added to the mood and the way the cinematography by Anthony B. Richmond captured the beauty of Venice juxtaposed with the way it’s simultaneously falling apart was breathtaking.
Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie were great as the leads, with the latter really stealing the show. Every time Julie Christie was on screen as Laura I was captivated. Sutherland was also perfect as a cynical architect, wrestling with never having dealt with their family tragedy and coming to grips with visions that he’s tried to suppress. The appearance of the sisters divides the two with a sort of line in the sand that was interesting to watch them work through, whether they were talking on long walks through the halls of Venice or with an amazingly long and graphic sex scene intercut by the two reflecting on the night of passion while getting ready in the morning.
The second half turns into more of a mystery as the threat of a serial killer is haphazardly introduced. This all barrels towards a conclusion that is, by all summations, bananas. I tell you, I did not see that coming, and I will not be able to forget it. It’s a moment that has been referenced and paid homage to in countless films and I just never realized it until now.
3. (The Bad)
On the flip side, while memorable, the ending didn’t completely work for me, mostly because it didn’t make any sense. Unfortunately, I can’t really get into why without spoiling things.
The story often meanders with other side characters that weren’t really interesting, seemingly existing for the sole purpose of throwing the audience off the scent of what was really going on. Then again, what was really going on? The film didn’t explain things well (which isn’t always needed in a film), but without it, the supernatural stuff didn’t really grab me. I thought that was the weakest part of the film.
The family tragedy scene was also cut together in a way that’s pretty baffling. We don’t see what happens and the way it unfolds on screen doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
4. (The Ugly)
THAT REVEAL.
5. (The End)
Don’t Look Now is an atmospheric, creepy experience with a huge upside. While the supernatural elements didn’t click for me and some of the situations didn’t make sense, the ride is an easy one to recommend. While the story feels stagnant at times, the performances are magnetic and more than make up for the lack of propulsion.
