Review of Tess (1979) by Uditha D — 07 Dec 2011

Everything about Tess (except for its length) was wonderful. Natassja Kinski was submissively and poignantly moving as Tess Durbeyfield, and all other performances - especially Peter Firth and Leigh Lawson - were tremendously convincing in their respective roles. The lush cinematography (which deserved its Oscar that year), which makes use of natural light at certain points, was simply amazing. And nowhere was the camerawork better than in the montage of scenes immediately following Tess' rape by Alec: it's as if though Roman Polanski intended to portray Tess as a rich and pretty lady in those scenes. But no, that's not to be: Tess is too honest and virtuous to remain that way with Alec. And you can see that on her face even in those scenes.

The ending may have been too abrupt, but in nearly all respects, Tess is perhaps Polanski's best work, bar Chinatown. It's one of the most faithful adaptations of a novel I have ever watched, and even if you haven't read the novel (or for that matter are not into novels at all), I'll guarantee that you'll enjoy this wonderful classic. Except of course its almost epic length.