Dead Of Night (1945)
The October Man (1947)
Carnival (1946)
The Servant (1963)
The Passionate Friends (1949) ///
Dead Of Night (1945) Gorgeously unnerving collection of nightmares, ranging from eerie premonitions to sad hauntings, from a Gothic, cursed mirror to comic golf rivalries and ending with the intense expressionism of ventriloquist Michael Redgrave's sinister dummy. Framing device unifies stylishly.
The October Man (1947) Noir-fuelled psychological thriller has recovering John Mills doubting his sanity when police become convinced he's a murderer. Loyal Joan Greenwood provides inspiration to prove innocence while dark atmosphere and nimble pacing maintain tense grip.
Carnival (1946) Richly textured visuals and distinct sense of place stands out against an episodic tale of Sally Gray's dancer seeking to escape from Edwardian poverty and conformity only to find a loveless, religiously suffocating marriage. Murky melodrama never transcends to tragedy.
The Servant (1963) Styled with dark intensity and cold visuals, indifferent James Fox gradually finds life consumed by seductive Dirk Bogarde, with sexual and social games further blurred by enticing Sarah Miles and prejudiced Wendy Craig. Characters feed off fractured dialog and bleak dreams.
The Passionate Friends (1949) Beautifully crafted tale of love, longing and conformity, narrative design mirrors the fragmentary concern with memories and dreams. Cast and characters are aligned with a technical precision that draws the viewer in and subverts original thoughts.
No comments:
Post a Comment