MUST be seen in a theatre

preppy-3

Disturbing, harrowing tale of one girls' (Catherine Deneuve) descent into madness.

Catherine Deneuve's performance is fantastic--she plays it just right. Quite an accomplishment considering she was only 22 at the time!  Roman Polanski's direction, beautiful black and white photography and effective use of sound really helps the film.  Ahead of it's time.

Some people have complained about being bored by this film...I'm assuming they're watching in on TV.  It's true--the film doesn't play as well on TV. I was lucky enough to see it for the first time in a theatre and it scared me silly.  On a big screen you're pulled into the girls' madness--I was jumpy for days afterwards.

On TV it just doesn't work.  It's still good, but nowhere near as unsettling.  So, if you're going to see it, try to see it on a big-screen TV.  This film almost never plays at revival cinemas--a real shame. Probably Polanski's best film next to "Chinatown".

score 9/10

preppy-3 18 January 2002

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0090633/