(1973) **
The reason I purchased this film is because it was on many Top 10 lists and laden with descriptions such as, “Few films can as efficiently induce an attack of the screaming heebie-jeebies as Nicolas Roeg’s classic supernatural thriller. Based on a Daphne du Maurier short story and made in 1973, it’s one of the most haunting, enigmatic and, in the final moments, bloodily shocking movies ever made. . .” Well, I’ve seen this movie now and I beg to differ. Quick plot summary; After the tragic drowning death of their daughter, Laura and John Baxter take a trip to Venice in an attempt to save their marriage. While there they encounter a strange couple of old ladies, one of who claims to have second sight. Meanwhile, John catches a glimpse of a figure in a red coat, as Venice is terrorized by a serial killer. Okay, the opening death of their daughter was very effective. From there the film becomes very long and tedious. Often there are hints that something bad is about to happen and then nothing happens. There’s a majorly long sex scene in the middle that was so long I actually became bored with it. This was based on a short story and it shows. It’s amazing to me that this film has been embraced as much as it has been; it’s really quite sucky.
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