Rosemary's Baby stands as a cinematic masterpiece that not only defines the horror genre but also marks a golden era for cult classics. The film's footage, style, and setting are alluring, capturing the essence of a bygone era that remains irreplaceable.
Describing it as the traditional term 'classic' or even 'masterpiece' falls short of truly encapsulating the brilliance of Rosemary's Baby. It goes beyond that-it defines cinema, laying the foundations that countless films, stories, and video games have drawn inspiration from.
The film's drug-induced rape scene which will have raised eyebrows in 1968, but It's the sheer brush off from other characters which raised mine. Adding the portrayal of the peculiar, nosy, and intrusive neighbours sets the stage for the secrecies that follow including the occult that continue to pursue the unsuspecting Rosemary.
Guy's knowledge and haunting confession to Rosemary in the morning that he had slept with her, while she was unconscious was malevolent on so many levels, and I was left mouth agape, that she didn't react with more resistance but perhaps this was more shockingly appropriate for married couples or Stepford wives in those times.
Simplicity becomes the beauty of Rosemary's Baby. The heart of the story revolves around a couple moving into a New York apartment, wanting to start a family, and the husband pursing his acting dream, showcasing a slow, but character driven buildup. The Bramford where the couple have found their new home becomes its own character-a beautifully creepy and complex entity with a dark, and morbid history. The cinematography heightens this in some gorgeous scenes, revealing a city that is both eerily beautiful and unsettling.
Mia Farrow's portrayal of Rosemary is the film's guiding light. Her childlike innocence resonates deeply with the audience, despite frustrations with her decisions and her unknowing trust in her obnoxious and self-centred husband. Farrow's performance is utterly enchanting, deserving of the nomination she received for best actress.
Roman and Minnie, (Sidney Blackmer & Ruth Gordon) played despicably but haunting characters the audience loves to despise. Sinister individuals tempting their religion or satanic witchcraft on unknowing victims. Concepts like Tannis Root, a mind-controlling drug, are introduced but not extensively explored, and could have been given more time to flourish.
Questions linger, such as why the coven lacks children or families of their own. The horror in Rosemary's Baby doesn't stem from overtly terrifying elements; instead, it emanates from the foreboding atmosphere that something is very, very wrong. And the slow but ominous buildup engages us with a constant sense of unease, and concern about the likely harm to Rosemary and her baby.
The character of Guy, Rosemary's husband, emerges as one of the most despicable men on screen. Clearly noted as self-centred and callous, he adds a layer of horror beyond traditional movie villains, making his presence deeply distressing. I for one despised his lines, his attitude, and having to see his face, not to mention his outrageous and his toxic attitude towards his wife.
Rosemary's Baby is an emotional journey through a timeless classic. From the very beginning you are caught in a stupor from Mia Farrow's alluring lullaby. Watching it over five decades after its release, the film's suspenseful storytelling continues to grip the imagination, offering a nostalgic exploration into the enduring art of captivating storytelling.
10/10.
Describing it as the traditional term 'classic' or even 'masterpiece' falls short of truly encapsulating the brilliance of Rosemary's Baby. It goes beyond that-it defines cinema, laying the foundations that countless films, stories, and video games have drawn inspiration from.
The film's drug-induced rape scene which will have raised eyebrows in 1968, but It's the sheer brush off from other characters which raised mine. Adding the portrayal of the peculiar, nosy, and intrusive neighbours sets the stage for the secrecies that follow including the occult that continue to pursue the unsuspecting Rosemary.
Guy's knowledge and haunting confession to Rosemary in the morning that he had slept with her, while she was unconscious was malevolent on so many levels, and I was left mouth agape, that she didn't react with more resistance but perhaps this was more shockingly appropriate for married couples or Stepford wives in those times.
Simplicity becomes the beauty of Rosemary's Baby. The heart of the story revolves around a couple moving into a New York apartment, wanting to start a family, and the husband pursing his acting dream, showcasing a slow, but character driven buildup. The Bramford where the couple have found their new home becomes its own character-a beautifully creepy and complex entity with a dark, and morbid history. The cinematography heightens this in some gorgeous scenes, revealing a city that is both eerily beautiful and unsettling.
Mia Farrow's portrayal of Rosemary is the film's guiding light. Her childlike innocence resonates deeply with the audience, despite frustrations with her decisions and her unknowing trust in her obnoxious and self-centred husband. Farrow's performance is utterly enchanting, deserving of the nomination she received for best actress.
Roman and Minnie, (Sidney Blackmer & Ruth Gordon) played despicably but haunting characters the audience loves to despise. Sinister individuals tempting their religion or satanic witchcraft on unknowing victims. Concepts like Tannis Root, a mind-controlling drug, are introduced but not extensively explored, and could have been given more time to flourish.
Questions linger, such as why the coven lacks children or families of their own. The horror in Rosemary's Baby doesn't stem from overtly terrifying elements; instead, it emanates from the foreboding atmosphere that something is very, very wrong. And the slow but ominous buildup engages us with a constant sense of unease, and concern about the likely harm to Rosemary and her baby.
The character of Guy, Rosemary's husband, emerges as one of the most despicable men on screen. Clearly noted as self-centred and callous, he adds a layer of horror beyond traditional movie villains, making his presence deeply distressing. I for one despised his lines, his attitude, and having to see his face, not to mention his outrageous and his toxic attitude towards his wife.
Rosemary's Baby is an emotional journey through a timeless classic. From the very beginning you are caught in a stupor from Mia Farrow's alluring lullaby. Watching it over five decades after its release, the film's suspenseful storytelling continues to grip the imagination, offering a nostalgic exploration into the enduring art of captivating storytelling.
10/10.