Review of Repulsion (1965) by Daniel K — 01 Sep 2009

3: It makes me think of a cross between Antonioni's Blow-Up and Hitchcock's later British pictures (think Frenzy). It isn't as good as either, but it is certainly worth seeing. Criterion has made it look absolutely spectacular on Blu-Ray.

It is definitely one of the best prints/transfers I've seen on the format. Polanski doesn't keep things simple either. It seemed to me that he drew on the audiences anticipation of what Deneuve is capable of and what is accepted from the genre.

This was before I realized that this was filmed long before Belle du Jour. It seems it was Polanski, and not Bunuel, that corrupted the audiences image of Deneuve. The shots of the nuns from a distance don't hurt either.

Wonderful touch. The killing/rape/sex/mania/etc scenes are shot quite well. They definitely draw one in and occasionally shock one. Great performances, great editing, great compositions, and an intriguing exploration of a woman going over the edge.

One would definitely wonder what could possibly be wrong with a woman with Deneuve if she were single and alone in the world. I suppose it was ultimately a bit disappointing for me as I was hoping for a masterpiece.

Polanski's Loves of a Blonde is certainly superior for me. I feel like more of a genre touch and less of an independent artistic touch is called for. In other words, Hitchcock could have done wonders as he practically invented this entire genre and was the quintessential auteur.