Doesn't live up to reputation

Rating: 6/10 (21 October 2002)

*spoilers!!!*
Well crafted but ponderous and overlong, Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" is one of the most overpraised films ever, in my opinion. Although intelligent and very well acted, it just drags on at times, especially in the midsection. I realize that the filmmakers wanted to establish a setting that was as ordinary as possible, so that the intrusion of the forces of darkness will have a greater impact on the audience. Still, I wish they had spiced things up with some more interesting bits, or at least made some judicious trims here and there. It's not an unreasonable expectation when the plot involves the devil himself raping a woman. I had a similar problem with "The Exorcist," but upon reflection, the latter film is a more assured work. William Friedkin's film had done a much better job setting up the story, was more evenly paced, and boasted a much more satisfying payoff.
Speaking of which, the final third of "Rosemary's Baby" is still intriguing and reasonably suspenseful. Polanski does a good job in creating a degree of ambiguity; is this poor woman really carrying Satan's child, or is she out of her mind? Of course, the former turns out to be the correct answer, but it adds a good psychological layer to the material. The dream sequence, where the dark lord imposes his will on the heroine, is genuinely disturbing. The final stalk sequence leading to the denouncement is actually quite gripping. However, I hesitate to state that these high points are worth sitting through the whole film for, especially in light of today's notoriously jaded audience. And I realize this may sound petty, but I was irritated by the vocals in the opening credits; they were so redundant.
As I have previously indicated, the performers usually outshine the often turgid material. Mia Farrow is highly sympathetic as the unfortunate target of hell's minions; we always root for her. John Cassavetes adds excellent support as her husband, who may or may not have an agenda of his own. Ruth Gordon turns in the funniest performance as the next-door neighbor whose motives are much more sinister than we could imagine. Her "eccentric" approach throws the audience off balance; surely this silly old lady can't hurt anyone...or can she? Sydney Blackmer does fine has her co-conspiring husband, whose facade of goodwill masks the darkest of intentions.
In the end, this may be one of these films where you need to be on some sort of "special wavelength" to enjoy. Many people regard this as one of the finest genre films ever made. I would like to count myself among them. Alas, I cannot. Although I am willing to admit that I just might be wrong about the whole thing, I am reluctant to ever rent it again. Not for a long time anyway. I might be off on this one, but that's a mistake I can easily live with.
**1/2 (out of ****)
Released by Paramount Pictures