Review of Rosemary's Baby (1968) by Timothy S — 13 Dec 2010

In today's world, with audiences weary of high concept films and numbed by an ever-increasing onslaught of special effects, CGI and torture porn films, it's easy to see why "Rosemary's Baby" has remained such a timeless classic for so long. It takes you back to another era of cinema, when directors filled their movies with mood, style and atmosphere, and when screenwriters told stories with real characters that people can identify with. This movie doesn't rely on cheap scares or expensive effects. It puts a realistic spin on its supernatural story making it totally credible, and it sucks you into its spell right from the opening moments.

At his best, writer/director Roman Polanski is a master storyteller, and you won't find better evidence of that than this film. This is Polanski at the top of his game. Mia Farrow is perfectly cast in the lead role, as watching her sweetness and innocence transform into something more sinister is mesmerizing. She is surrounded by terrific performances, most notably Ruth Gordon in her Oscar winning role. She's fun to watch.

And no matter how many times you've seen it, and forget the fact that you know it's coming, the ending still packs a wicked punch. There's not one false note in the picture, and the conclusion is still unnerving and leaves you shaken. And it doesn't rely on cheap parlor tricks to accomplish that.

When you hear people say, "They don't make' em like they used to", they're talking about movies like this one. It holds you spellbound the entire time and leaves you breathless in its wake.