Polanski's Death and the Maiden is effective film despite stage origins

tavm

Roman Polanski's Death and the Maiden reveals its stage origins with the way everything seems to take place mostly in one room and the constant talking with some action in places. Still, what dialogue coming from the likes of Sigourney Weaver, Stuart Wilson, and Ben Kingsley! Weaver is very convincing as a woman who seems crazy for the most part but reveals through her speeches just how sure she is that Kingsley was the one who constantly raped and tortured her despite being blindfolded the whole time. Kingsley keeps us on edge likewise with the way he changes attitudes especially near the end depending on the way he's being treated in order to ensure his survival. Wilson is torn between defending his wife and making sure Kingsley gets a fair trial since he's a lawyer who's accepted a new position with an investigating committee that takes torture cases of dead victims which alienates his spouse Weaver, a survivor. Nice use of the title theme by Shubert to illustrate just how music can be effective in triggering memories both bad and good. Like I said, not too much action but what little there were made for some tension-filled moments. Kudos to director Roman Polanski for another exploration in confronting fear and all its consequences.

score 8/10

tavm 16 July 2007

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1694402/