Dont Look Now opens with the most terrifying thing imaginable the death of a child, which establishes the films grim, downbeat tone. Its also the plot device that causes Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland to uproot and leave for gloomy-looking Venice where, for a variety of reasons, the tragedy continues to haunt their new life. To reveal more would be unthinkable, because this is a movie that audiences have to experience for themselves, armed with as little knowledge as possible, which is equally unthinkable in the age of Rotten Tomatoes. The less you know, the more enjoyable the journey, and the more satisfying the ending (unless youve already read Daphne Du Mauriers short story). Sure, you can dismiss Nic Roegs direction as arty and pretentious if you wish, but doesnt his handling of the material add to the overall dreamlike quality of the narrative? You decide.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
