Review of Frantic (1988) by Cuz'n S — 03 Mar 2009

A positive 3 stars, although one wishes this could have been tighter and better written. Still, it was fascinating to watch Polanski channel Hitchcock for the first half hour of the movie... Amazing restraint and some wonderful deep focus, long takes ... just watch what is going on in the backgrond. Wonderfully subtle stuff.

Later on, as the espionage/thriller takes off, it is somehow not as good, but enhoyable nonetheless. Old fashion movie making done pretty well. I loved Ford's acting choices in making his doctor character a VERY ordinary guy... he's no match for anyone in a fight and is quite out of shape (listen to him weezing as he climbs stairs) ... very refreshing.

And a nice touch with some of the comic moments too.