Don't Look Now

Getting back to Nicolas Roeg, 1973's Don't Look Now, if not his most famous film, is certainly his most controversial. This is a psychological thriller that magnificently explores the alleys of Venice, and concerns a married couple dealing with the death of a child. But today all anyone remembers is the sex scene.

Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie are the couple. At the film's outset we see a young girl in a red raincoat playing next to a pond. Given that I already had some knowledge of the plot, I knew what was coming, which somehow seemed to magnify the suspense. She drowns, as Sutherland pulls her out of the water but can't save her.

We cut to some time later, when Sutherland is restoring a church in Venice. They run into a pair of middle-aged British sisters, one of whom is blind and psychic, and tells Christie that she sees her daughter's spirit. Later she will tell them that the spirit is warning Sutherland to leave town, because he is in danger. Christie believes her, but Sutherland is a skeptic, much to his regret.

Venice itself is another character in the film. It reminded me of Paul Schraeder's The Comfort of Strangers, which also showcased the danger of Venice. It's well known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but a city that is right on top of the water has other problems, such as the smell of rot, and a labyrinth of medieval passageways. Sutherland and Christie get lost more than once, ending up in dark, rat-infested alcoves.

The sex scene comes fairly early. It has long been suggested, or rumored, that the actors actually had sex during the scene. They certainly must have gotten to know each other well. I suppose Roeg put it in to show their love for each other--most couples don't survive the death of a child, but these two are still happy together, relatively speaking. But as much as I love sex and nudity in films, it has to be there for a good reason. This scene could have been cut without the film losing anything. If I want to watch people fucking, I'll watch porn.

But aside from that, Don't Look Now is satisfyingly creepy. If I ever make it to Venice I' think I'll stick to the tour.