Review of Rosemary's Baby (1968) by Kevin N — 02 Oct 2010

Polanski's most engaging and enjoyable film, filled from start to finish with icy terror and always carefully peppered with rich humor. Mia Farrow is absolutely stunning as Rosemary- a woman, wife and (finally) mother who becomes so complete a victim that it is impossible to not be sucked into her claustrophobic paranoia.

This is one of the few horror films ever made which successfully frames us as both innocent and guilty; even while we silently scream warnings at Rosemary to leave this danger while she still can we watch on with a sadistic pleasure, waiting for the next terrifying discovery within the complex mystery of the apartment complex.

A brilliant supporting cast is highlighted by John Cassavetes (both funny and disturbing, pitiable and infuriating) and Ruth Gordon (in an Oscar-winning turn as the suspiciously-sweet Minnie Castevet).

It is so exhilarating to watch a visionary as sure as Polanski turn what started as a genre novel into a singular work of art, a film as beautiful as it is disturbing.