Brilliantly Constructed

Rating: Null/10 (22 January 2017)

Just a few remarks on seeing the movie again years after its initial release. What a cleverly constructed screenplay (Polanski). We never know more than central character Rosemary (Farrow). That way her gradual realization becomes ours too. Of course, we know in advance from the film's reputation that an infernal plot is underway to envelop her, but still the narrative captivates. Who exactly is involved in the plot remains unclear, along with the details. Tip-offs gradually emerge as when old Minnie (Gordon) insists on the hellish concoction that Rosemary must drink. But then Gordon plays Minnie in such a goofy gadfly manner, it's hard to think of her as a witch. All in all, it's that clever narrative construction combining our awareness with Rosemary's that's the crux of a fascinating film. And given the lengthy two-hour-plus runtime, that's no mean fete. Then too, shouldn't overlook Farrow's career topping performance as the besieged victim. In fact, it's hard for me to think of anyone else as the waifish mother-to-be. Anyway, it's a brilliant horror film in spite of spilling scarcely a drop of blood. Contemporary filmmakers could take note.