Review of Tess (1979) by Rosemarie S — 08 Mar 2008

A very close adaptation of the book. Difficult to watch all in one sitting due to length and the fact that it borders on being a bit too dull and borning. I wanted to slap Kinskit just to get some damn emotion out of her.

It's almost as if Roman Polanski gave her no direction at all. I'm fairly certain the only reason she was cast was because she had either slept with Polanski at one point or just because there was no one else willing to work for him during the late 70s and early 80s.

I can barely hear half of her lines due to her thick accent and incoherent mublings. She looks so bored and listless in this movie. Costumes, scenery, camera shots, and makeup were superb. I simply cannot get over the fact that this was a bore to watch, especially if you had never read the book.

Alec was cast perfectly, but Angel looked too drab and unattractive. I still cannot get over Kinski... what a terrible actress... she cannot carry this movie at ALL. Pity.