Something’s not quite right about Carole though. She’s
spacey, distant, obsessive. Repulsion
takes its time peeling back the layers of her damaged psyche. She’s not well
and possibly has some disease like schizophrenia. It’s clearly never been
diagnosed though.
The only people that have any interest in her overlook what’s
wrong with her. She lives with her sister Hellen (Yvonne Furneaux) who cares for her but sees her as a
burden. The guy, Colin (John Fraser), that’s interested in her just wants to be in a relationship and doesn't stop to think there might be something wrong with her.
Carole mostly keeps to herself. Stuck in her mind where
everything is in a constant state of hyper-reality. Every sound stands out
stronger and louder; the lighting and the space of the tiny apartment start to
make everything feel increasingly claustrophobic and confining.
Eventually she’s left in the apartment for several days and
the time alone takes a toll on her. She begins seeing things that aren’t there
and disappear at a moment’s notice. She leaves food out to rot and gather
flies. She bars the door and cuts the telephone line. When people begin
inquiring she freaks out and attacks them.
On display for most of this is Catherine Deneuve who’s
incredibly convincing while speaking next to no dialogue, even in her scenes
with other actors. Deneuve has this ability to subtly shift her eyes and
provide all the necessary information you need to know. It’s not all that
surprising that director Roman Polanski uses the eye as a reoccurring motif
throughout the film.
The film takes its time desconstructing Carol’s life
demonstrating to us the limiting and frustrating nature of her life, and how
desperately overlooked and disregarded she is. It has a wonderfully well-executed
build up and it leads to some riveting and intense climatic scenes.
Repulsion is a penetrating
character study and a great psychological horror movie with creepy, evocative
atmospheric visuals and Deneuve’s great performance.
Grade: B+
No comments:
Post a Comment