Review of Repulsion (1965) by Ron P — 02 Jan 2012

'Repulsion'. A masterpiece in the psychological thriller genre, tackling sexuality, desire and fear. Catherine Denevue is a sensual, fragile delight, and Polanski has captured a special type of darkness in her, and through his exquisite camera work.

Carol is slowly deteriorating into madness, and the apartment moving right alongside her, with the rotting rabbit, sprouting potatoes, cracks and peeling plaster. The wall of hands reaching to touch her, the exaggerated, alarmingly loud cracks that appear in front of her eyes further accentuate the fear that she projects onto her surroundings.

The use of sound, or lack thereof, is another stand out of 'Repulsion'. The dripping of water and ticking of the clock are loud and prominent throughout, but this is juxtaposed well in scenes where Carol is seemingly another, darker person, and silence is the only thing that can be heard. It creates an eerie sensation, and one that is definitely not what you'd expect from a score during these heightened situations.

You sympathise with Denevue, but the realisation that as much as the advances of men and sex repulse her, there is a side to her that is drawn to it at the same time to some extent, complicates and confuses. The last, panning shot across the room, zooming in on a terrified, younger Carol in that family photo only hints at what possibly initiated the descent initially.