Review of Death and the Maiden (1994) by Sarfaraz A — 13 Jul 2013

Death and the Maiden directed by Roman Polanski. Film stars Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver. Death and the Maiden is based on the 1991 three-character play of the same name, by Ariel Dorfman (he also co-wrote the screenplay for the film).

Set in unnamed South American country. After the fall of fascist regime, the brand new president forms the commission to prosecute those responsible for human-rights violation. Paullina (Signourney Weaver) is a troubled former political prisoner; living with a lawyer who has been asked by the president to lead commission. One stormy dark night Paullina's husband Gerardo returns after meeting the president with a stranger who calls himself a Dr. Miranda - Paullina recognizes the voice and believes Dr. Miranda is the one who raped her multiple times, inflicting bizarre torture upon her. She lacerates Dr. Miranda and ties him to a chair to get the confession out of him - Gerardo is upset at the events unfolding before his eyes - doing everything possible to negotiate between the two. Entire film is set inside a cabin whole night.

Film's plot is indefinitely referring to events of Chile during Augusto Pinochet regime. Polanski puts outstanding effort to present and maintain climate of thrill that the audience should be longing for - after recently watching another same year release 'A Pure Formality' (Gérard Depardieu & Roman Polanski - similar tone but barely soothing your urge for 'how-the-twist-ending' has got to be); this film comes with different style and methods.

Ben Kingsley portrays a loveable character out of what he has been accused of, his persona and way of releasing dialogues earn the momentum of audience towards him, much in quantity than Signourney Weaver - of-course Sigourney dazzles her character of female with rage and potentiality.

Death and the Maiden, is about the guilt, redemption, justice. It grows several valid questions to be debated.

NOTE: In the Play, at the ending it is not revealed whether, which one is guilty or innocent - however, director Roman Polanski altered the ending for the movie adoption.