Review of Eyes Without a Face (1960) by Ann D — 02 Jul 2010

I would not say that this film is perfect. but I really liked it. to begin with the bad, the dialog contains way too much exposition. in other words, characters too frequently verbally describe the plot instead of live it. the film also contains a completely unnecessary and frustrating subplot regarding a police investigation whose impact on the actual events of the film is disproportionately lower than its screen time. the film is not richer, but more tedious because of this subplot. finally, the ending of the film, and indeed its catharsis, relies on a third act character change that is only minimally developed and feels both predictable and unearned...

THAT ALL SAID. there is a lot to fucking love about this flick. the performances are straight up incroyable. Alida Valli and Edith Scob are both wonderful. This is a horror film about real pain and grief and disappointment, and Franju enables the actors to convey this with his lingering though not excessive close-ups. The film really makes you contemplate: how would being terribly disfigured affect me?

The gore is astonishingly ballsy for the time. Even today, it's wince-inducing, and how often can you say that about a film released in 1962? If the film is weak on suspense, it more than makes up for it with courageous gore that verges on Grand Guignol ridiculousness but actually strengthens the human element of the horror. Perfect example of this is the photo slideshow of the unsuccessful transplant-- it's sickening, both visually and in terms of the heartbreak it conveys.

The subject matter is still novel, as the first successful face transplants have taken place within the past year or two. Oh, and Jarre's score kicks complete ass. Each time he could have made a cliche choice during a cue, he goes the opposite route, surprising you with the depth, feeling, and originality of his compositions.