Review of Wait Until Dark (1967) by Kevin D — 23 Sep 2012
As my fully unconventional introduction to Audrey Hepburn, this thriller is an effective popcorn channeling of Hitchcock. The story is interesting as a thriller centered around a blind female protagonist who must cope with three men as they gradually shift from complete courtesy to their true violent nature.
They begin as courteous examples of society but move closer to reality as their nonviolent options for accomplishing their objective become exhausted. The men make this arc because they are assigned to acquire a doll with heroin stashed in it.
Along with their shift to authenticity, Hepburnâ(TM)s character , who starts out as the weak, helpless blind woman, must evolve rapidly and fight for the upper hand as she starts to realize that her life is in danger.
There are some dated elements of the story, such as how sheâ(TM)s treated as a wife and how sheâ(TM)s expected to come to her husband even after all sheâ(TM)s been through. The acting has two notable foci: Hepburn who starts out in type and later grows beyond it and a 33 year old Alan Arkin, who is delicious as the villain.
He even resembled Alfred Molina in his young age. As an adapted play, most of the action takes place in a basement apartment. However the multi-story nature of New York City development does become a notable for plot purposes at a couple points in the film when Hepburnâ(TM)s character interacts with a neighbor.
The locations and production design are up to the standards of a 1960s blockbuster and the Henry Mancini score was very effective. Dr. No/From Russia With Love/Thunderball director Terence Young makes the film with similarly effective prowess as other Bond directors, such as Martin Campbell.
The third act of this film is quite interesting Grade A thriller material and Hepburnâ(TM)s characterâ(TM)s rapid evolution for survival is very satisfying. As a somewhat popcorn Hitchcockian film, itâ(TM)s cool and I donâ(TM)t think Iâ(TM)ll look at Hepburn the same way now as I did before.
(24 September 2012).
This review of Wait Until Dark (1967) was written by Kevin D on 23 Sep 2012.
Wait Until Dark has generally received very positive reviews.
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