Review of Play Misty for Me (1971) by Doug J — 04 Jan 2012

A captivating psychological thriller with an auspicious directorial debut by Clint Eastwood. About a popular jazz disc jockey of a small California radio station named Dave Garver, marvelously played by Clint Eastwood in a richly textured and charismatic performance; and his steamy sexual involvement with a possessive, staking psychotic woman named Evelyn Draper, played intensely by Jessica Walter in a truly frightening performance who keeps requesting that old standard "Misty," Miss Walter does make a unforgettable impression as the dangerous listener who takes charge of Garver's life, and turns it into a living hell, when he makes the big mistake of ending what he thought was a casual affair, Evelyn begins an increasingly violent and deadly reign of terror against him and all his friends, an effective and suspenseful script by Jo Heim and Dean Riesner, with beautiful cinematography by Bruce Surtess, the supporting cast all deliver solid performances they include Donna Mills, John Larch, Clarice Taylor, Duke Evers, George Fargo and Eastwood's dear friend and mentor Don Siegal as Murphy the bartender, Seigal directed Eastwood in several of his films, most notably the classic 70's cop thriller "Dirty Harry.

" The film also features the memorable hit song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face sung by Roberta Flack, "Play Misty for Me" is a audacious classic shocker that is the original fatal attraction, it clearly shows all the aspects that would develop into a long and distinguish body of work for Eastwood, who is now a highly respected two-time Academy Award winning director.

Highly Recommended.