Review of Play Misty for Me (1971) by Trent M — 21 Nov 2007
Notable for being the original Fatal Attraction, but more for being Clint Eastwood's directorial debut, Play Misty for Me is a taught thriller when it gets going, lulling the viewer into several false states of security before hitting you over the head with another shocker.
Obviously, the star here is Jessica Walter, her perofrmance brimming with deep-seated psychosis until allowed to let rip her shrieking, stabbing inner-psycho. A mid to late movie lull for a pointless montage and what appears to be a random Jazz concert loses this movie a star for me, but Walter is a revelation and Eastwood's narrow eyed incredulity is almost enough to make you feel sorry for him, despite his character's inability to keep it in his trousers.
Eastwood's vocabulary as a filmmaker is surprisingly fluent for his first go, turning what could have been a generic thriller into just that little bit more. Not essential, but certainly a good 'un.
This review of Play Misty for Me (1971) was written by Trent M on 21 Nov 2007.
Play Misty for Me has generally received positive reviews.
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