“Don’t Look Now” is a haunting psychological thriller that delves into themes of grief, premonition, and the blurred line between reality and imagination. Directed by Nicolas Roeg, this 1973 film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s celebrated novella follows a grieving couple as they encounter unexplained events in the eerie city of Venice.
John Baxter (played by Donald Sutherland) and his wife Laura (played by Julie Christie) are shattered by the tragic drowning death of their young daughter, Christine. To escape their grief and find solace, they travel to Venice, where John, an architect, is working on restoring an ancient church.
In Venice’s labyrinthine streets and shadowy canals, the couple meets two mysterious sisters, Heather and Wendy (played by Hilary Mason and Clelia Matania). Heather claims to be clairvoyant and insists that Christine tries to contact them from beyond the grave. Initially skeptical, John becomes increasingly obsessed with the possibility of communicating with his daughter.
As John delves deeper into the city’s enigmatic atmosphere, he starts experiencing strange visions and encounters. He glimpses a small figure resembling Christine in a red coat and hood, running through the winding alleyways. The couple’s perception of reality begins to blur, and they become entangled in unexplained and unsettling events.
Haunted by their grief and tormented by the growing sense of unease, John and Laura question their sanity and the boundaries between the living and the dead. The film expertly builds tension as it explores themes of loss, guilt, and the fragility of the human psyche.
“Don’t Look Now” combines outstanding cinematography by Anthony Richmond, intricate editing by Graeme Clifford, and a haunting score by Pino Donaggio to create an atmosphere of pervasive unease and foreboding. The film’s climax brings shocking revelations and a mind-bending twist that will leave the audience questioning everything they thought they knew.
With its evocative storytelling and psychological depth, “Don’t Look Now” remains a masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences and solidify its status as a classic in the thriller genre.
Available via The Criterion Collection or rent via most streaming services.
The Other Cinema 