Superb Supernatural

Rating: 10/10 (16 September 2014)

***User reviewer Vince-5 ("One of the ultimate horror classics", Vince-5 from northeastern PA, 2 May 2001) has a well-written review worth a look. Tedg ("Devils", tedg from Virginia Beach, 15 March 2001) brings up Farrow, Polanski, Lennon and Manson. Reviewer Violetmoreviolent ("Terrifying, A Timeless Horror Classic That Still Evokes Chills", violetmoreviolent from Portland, Oregon, USA, 30 August 2007) has a good commentary that parallels the review below. Finally, reviewer Poseidon-3 ("Virtually flawless piece of storytelling with Farrow's best work", Poseidon-3 from Cincinnati, OH, 16 August 2005) has good background about the casting.***
"Rosemary's Baby" (1968, Roman Polanski﻿), a chronicle of the arrival of Satan's spawn conjured up by a witches coven﻿, is sublime. Polanski's film is an elite supernatural experience. With only two major scenes of genuine horror, most of the tension is building around moments, if removed from context, might otherwise seem banal. This is possibly why "Rosemary's Baby" has so much public appeal: It teases us by delaying the switch from the conventional to the surreal. Also, the central betrayal on display smacks harder because we are living with these characters.
Rosemary and her struggling actor husband Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavettes), move into a centrally-located, New York City﻿ apartment. (The building is the Dakota, where John Lennon﻿ later lived and was assassinated.) Guy's difficulty in getting his career established is postponing their intention to raise a family. While doing laundry, Rosemary makes friends with a recovering drug addict who also lives there thanks to the generosity of the Castevets, an elderly couple. The untimely demise of this laundry friend leads to Rosemary and Guy forming a relationship with Minnie and Roman Castevet. Rosemary finds the eccentric pair intrusive, particularly Minnie (who among other transgressions is always handing her mysterious concoctions to drink). Although he is initially reluctant to meet him, Guy immediately takes an interest with the worldly Roman (Sidney Blackmer). As Guy and Roman become close buddies the chief obstacle in Guy's acting career is suddenly removed. Tasting success, Guy and Rosemary decide the evening she is most fertile that it is time to create their baby. Minnie interrupts (yet again) by providing the couple a chocolate mousse. Rosemary doesn't like hers and shortly afterwards passes out. She then has a very odd nightmare where she is being raped by a demon while her husband and her neighbors watch. She wakes up, and imagines she has uncovered a Satanic conspiracy which involves everyone around her.
The dream sequence is incredible, one of cinema's best. "Rosemary's Baby" is great visually. Polanski superb color choices throughout. He blocks actors superbly. While never appearing staged, his mise en scène is very detailed. The result is uniquely watchable, and can only fully be appreciated in a movie house.
The cast, led by Mia Farrow as Rosemary, is excellent. Farrow deserved (but did not receive) Oscar recognition as the resilient young wife with a penchant for noticing small details. Farrow handles the task of conveying Rosemary's encroaching madness exceptionally well. She accomplishes this performance despite her real-life husband, Frank Sinatra, serving her with divorce papers which were delivered by a big-shot lawyer with the cast and crew observing. (Polanski offered her a day off to compose herself but Farrow gamely refused. The party scene where a crying Rosemary is on the kitchen floor being consoled by her friends was apparently filmed shortly after she was humiliated by Sinatra.) Another standout cast member is Ruth Gordon (who won an Oscar) as the scene-stealing Minnie Castevet. Minnie simply won't say no; she is the epitome of annoying friend who Rosemary knows she will never be able to get rid of. Sidney Blackmer as Roman is a very convincing Satanist. Ralph Bellamy is also effective as Dr. Sapirstein, a charismatic and manipulative physician who does not actually relieve Rosemary from the unusual, recurring pain of her pregnancy. Reviews are a bit mixed on John Cassavetes as Guy, with some complaining that he appears about 15 years older than his character. However, Cassavetes is a convincing betrayer. By the way, when Farrow phones the actor who had the role that suddenly fell in Guy's lap, she recognized but couldn't fully place the voice (Tony Curtis). Polanski kept the surprise from Farrow to bring out more confusion in her voice.
Cinephiles should wear a good luck pendant containing some musty (but charming) Tannis Root and head over to revival theater showing this to observe this exquisite horror classic unfold on the big screen.