Review of Knife in the Water (1962) by Sookie S — 19 Mar 2004

[b]Knife in the Water[/b].

I was happily surprised to like this film so much. I knew nothing about it going in, not even one setting clue.

You cannot go wrong with me and a boat. I am a water bug, and a good story to boot is icing on the cake. This wasn't a great story, but it was a good one.

I think some of the symbolism was forced, and obvious, and a bit more character development would have helped; but this is a fine feature for an earlier effort.

8/10*.

[b]The Tenant[/b].

I've heard forever that this one is a must see. I only knew it was a thriller set in a Paris apartment building. I've lived in apartments my whole life; so, this one should have been up my alley.

Realism or fantasy? PICK ONE DARNIT.

The film started out fine, and got a bit better as Polanski suffered the rites of passage of new lessee-ship. After he visits the former tenant at the hospital, however, the film starts to slowly unravel.

I understand where he was going, and why it became almost a slapstick version of Fellini; but it did not work for me. It simply does not connect enough to be as good as an [b]8 1/2[/b] or the myriad of other films in this vein.

Horrible effort.

3/10*.