Review of Rosemary's Baby (1968) by Tom C — 24 Jul 2010

Polanski's breakthrough flick is a fine one, predating the more widely known and more talked about 'The Exorcist' and 'The Omen'. This started a pattern for Polanski's films, as we see our likeable but often flawed protagonist getting involved in a seemingly mediocre activity and finding they have bitten off more than they can chew.

While most of the action takes place within the apartment, it rarely becomes dull because of the sheer activity happening onscreen.

The scene is constantly invaded by the notoriously nosy neighbours, altered by redecoration, visited by friends. Mia Farrow occupies perhaps 90% of screen time, and her acting, frequently regarded as being ostentatious, is just right here. We do not get bored of her, neither do we get sick of her melodrama. She is a wonderful character.

There are moments when we catch glimpses of her lapsing into subconscious throes of unusual behaviour, such as eating raw chicken livers. These moments come to the screen very leftfield, as if she herself doesn't even notice what she's doing. It's effective, and these are placed at good intervals.

There is some great camerawork, particularly in the final act in which tension is at an all-time high, and Rosemary sneaks round the apartment, knife in hand, avoiding her terrible neighbours and the simpering yet phantasmagoric visitors she has regrettably accumulated.

People talk about 'The Exorcist' being 'possessed by pure evil', and this movie has it in equal amounts; we just don't see it blossom, as if it has become overripe, until the end, at which point the audience feels anxiety, despair and hopelessness.