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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Cul De Sac (1966)

After a failed robbery, two wounded gangsters (Lionel Stander, Jack MacGowran) find themselves stranded near an island that becomes inaccessible by road once the evening tide washes over the roadway. The small island houses a castle where a neurotic (Donald Pleasence) lives in remote seclusion with his nubile young wife (Francoise Dorleac, YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT). This black comedy is vintage Roman Polanski. Forget about any logical narrative, it's all about mood and atmosphere as its odd assortment of characters heatedly flail at each other in direct contrast to the chilly and bleak landscape as Polanski adjusts the balance between the comedic elements and a feeling of intense trepidation. It's useless to attempt and find motivation behind their actions because it's not that kind of a movie. Just enjoy the rollercoaster ride. Stander gets the best role of his career and the rest of the cast is wonderful too. The stark black and white camera work is by Gilbert Taylor (STAR WARS). With Jacqueline Bisset, Marie Kean, Renee Houston and William Franklyn.

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