Review of Repulsion (1965) by Jose G — 04 Sep 2008
Polanski's talent is highlighted in this tour de force film starring Catherine Deneuve as a young woman who completely detaches herself from the world. Though Polanski may be known more as the director of Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist, this film (which is the first installment of the "apartment trilogy") helped solidify Polanski's stamp as a psychological director.
Though the character of Carole is never explained (why does she daydream, why does she kill, and why does she lose her mind), what we, as a collective audience, are able to do is enter into this woman's mind.
We share in her fears as those drops of blood prompt a haunting score of radio waves and instrumentals. We scream as the man appears out of the darkness and rapes her in own bedroom. And we quiver as the hands burst through the wall and molest Carole's fragile innocence.
It is not a story about answers, but rather, it's a story about the after effects of trauma. Just like Un Chien Andalou, Polanski attacks our senses, beginning (as well as ending) with similar shots of Carol's eyes, while also slicing through our perception and our rationality with a single razor blade.
This review of Repulsion (1965) was written by Jose G on 04 Sep 2008.
Repulsion has generally received very positive reviews.
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