IMDb > The Comfort of Strangers (1990)
The Comfort of Strangers
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The Comfort of Strangers (1990) More at IMDbPro »

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The Comfort of Strangers (1990) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   1,544 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 20% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Ian McEwan (novel)
Harold Pinter (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Comfort of Strangers on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
April 1991 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The appearance of innocence. The heat of desire... more
Plot:
An English couple holiday in Venice to sort out their relationship. There is some friction and distance between them... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Gilles Marini Featured in Playboy
 (From HollyScoop. 20 October 2009, 11:56 PM, PDT)

Natasha Richardson Dies at 45
 (From IMDb News. 18 March 2009, 5:23 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
The "menace" all-star team more (38 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Christopher Walken ... Robert

Rupert Everett ... Colin

Natasha Richardson ... Mary

Helen Mirren ... Caroline
Manfredi Aliquo ... Concierge
David Ford ... Waiter

Daniel Franco ... Waiter
Rossana Canghiari ... Hotel Maid
Fabrizio Castellani ... Bar Manager
Mario Cotone ... Detective
Giancarlo Previati ... First Policeman
Antonio Serrano ... Second Policeman
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Cortesie per gli ospiti (Italy)
more
Runtime:
107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
Caroline: Are you in love?
Mary: Well, I... I do love him, I suppose. Not quite like when we first met. I trust him, really. He's my closest friend. But, what do you mean by in-love?
Caroline: I mean that you'd do absolutely anything for the other person, and you'd let them do absolutely anything to you. Anything...
Mary: Anything?
more
Movie Connections:
References Rosemary's Baby (1968) more
Soundtrack:
AMOREVOLE more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
20 out of 22 people found the following comment useful.
The "menace" all-star team, 19 March 1999
8/10
Author: Scoopy from Budapest

Let's think how to put together the all-star team of menace.

We'd have Paul Shrader direct, and he'd never shoot a centered, straight-on angle. The movie would be filled with nearly empty frames, where the actors can be seen only far off to the side, and the scenes would begin with tracking shots through an alley to the characters, as if from a stalker's P.O.V. Doors and windows would open and close near our protagonists, manipulated by unseen hands, for unspoken reasons.

We'd have Harold Pinter write the screenplay, and every line would be pregnant with vague menace. The character's actions would be filled with unexplainable and unexplained malice. People would repeat with gravitas lines that don't seem important. People would tell awful stories about their youth and their excessively stern parents.

We'd locate it in Venice at night, where every corner seems to turn into a deserted and foggy dead end, every street is a waterfront, and there are as many ghosts and echoes as living people.

We'd star Christopher Walken.

Sorry, guys, it's already been done. This is a spooky, creepy movie, well presented by the all-star team. I really found only one flaw. The menace was not left unspoken and threatening. The movie ends with people doing explicit and unspeakably awful things for no reason.

It's one strange movie. Great use of Venice as the backdrop for the story. It is a masterpiece in its own Euro-noir genre. I liked it a lot, but don't expect a typical cinema experience, or a happy ending.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Comfort of Strangers (1990)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
An excellent film! third_man_45
Christopher Walken's the 'Continental' BamaWorley
Terrible all the way but... stfa-1
Don't Look Now ddmplynx
Any Italian speakers? DraculaJunior
Any quality Region 1 DVDs? hmservant
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