Don't Look Now

Ok... so it's the weekend crew ( which is me it seems ) here at DVD Purgatory. And what's more, it's Halloween. So what have I just decided to watch? Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now".

Don't Look Now tells the story of a couple, Laura ( Julie Christie ) and John Baxter ( Donald Sutherland ) whose young daughter has recently drowned in a tragic accident. Their grief puts a sudden pressure on their marriage, and so they decide to take Donald's wig and moustache combo on a working holiday to Venice.

Although memorable for its complex story structure, eerie visuals, innovative editing style, and beautiful surroundings, it is widely remembered by all who have seen it for its crazy, over the top, "did they actually do it ?" sex scene. The scene was unusually graphic for the time ( and is actually pretty graphic even for these times - well, unless you've been previously watching a Larry Clark film ), leading to rumours that it was in fact unsimulated. Story has it that the scene was a last minute addition to the film by director Roeg. He felt there were too many scenes of the couple arguing, and thus... er... he took it the other way with some Caligula style lovemaking... and feet and armpit licking ( which I personally think, may have taken things just a little TOO far ).

Still, all things considered, the film has aged well. It remains genuinely beautiful and creepy at the same time. And like a fine wine, it is best enjoyed naked and with Julie Christie.