Review of Repulsion (1965) by Blake P — 13 Nov 2011
A chilling, haunting exercise in the violent, paranoid dark side of the feminine world, particularly one blonde beauty (Catherine Deneuve) who goes through a total emotional collapse when her sister (Yvonne Ledoux) leaves her alone at her apartment for the weekend.
With this film, Roman Polanski has etched his way into my Top 3 favorite directors of all-time. His ability to craft films concerning genocide (the under-seen "The Pianist"), the horror of pregnancy (the unforgettable "Rosemary's Baby"), and a classic noir thriller (the fabulous "Chinatown") remain unmatched.
The only director I might have ahead of him is Stanley Kubrick. that's about it. This film in particular is so perfect, thanks to its tenacity in tackling the double-standards some women have (dressing up nice in order to get cat calls in order to stroke their ego, but being "repulsed" when these "pigs" give them what they want to hear).
Deneuve plays her character with a certain detachment that is equally maddening as it is arresting, and the result is one of the most unique cold-blooded villians in the history of film. Polanski's patient, controlled, claustrophobic film-style makes this film all the more terrifying, and the result is one of the best horror films ever made.
This review of Repulsion (1965) was written by Blake P on 13 Nov 2011.
Repulsion has generally received very positive reviews.
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