Review of Repulsion (1965) by T C — 11 Apr 2008

There is not much left to say about Polanski's genius. Namely about his early one.

Let's try, nevertheless.

Repulsion is the first of the so called "Apartment Triology". Before Rosemary's Baby. Before Le Locataire. Before color appeared in his movies. Before most of people even thought about dwelling in a similar subject and turn it into a movie.

But that's one of the things that describes Polanski best.

Vision.

I've been meaning to see this movie for a long time. Never got into the right mood for it (because you really need to be facing the right direction for this kind of movie, and I was already expecting it).

Until now.

I can't say I liked it better than any of my two Polani's favorites, already mentioned.

But I can say I'm far from disappointed.

In Repulsion - the title is as brilliant as it is fittable -, you slowly witness a downward spiral of claustrophobia, schizophrenia, mental twistedness and self-destructive paranoia. And although it eventually comes to a point where it starts to become physically disturbing, you end up "enjoying" it at several levels.

At least I did.

A warning regarding the pace, though.

If you're familiar with Polanski's early work, then you know what to expect. It is not a fast paced movie. Nor was it supposed to be. In fact, if one does not allow himself to indulge in the pleasures of such a mind breaking movie, one might even find it boring, every now and then.

Too bad.

Your loss.