I am never sure of horror from this era. Often I am left cold and unsatisfied. But this movie is OK. I liked it better than I thought. It starts pretty slow and I was quite bored with the corny romance and all but then in the second half, it gets better. I just never saw what he saw in her and their relationship always seemed awkward.
Honestly I couldn't relate much to the girl. I kept feeling sorry for the guy who is stuck in this unique situation. What if he had just fallen in love first with that fun loving Alice character? She is so funny and outgoing in contrast to this cold woman. I thought Irena often behaved coldly to her husband and he was as nice as possible to her. Finally after some time with this behaviour, he finally got tired of it. In any case, he could never have a normal life with her. If they did get a divorce, maybe she can mate with that panther and have a happy life. If it was in the current day, he wouldn't have to marry her after just a tea in her apartment. In the olden days, things were different I guess. And what's up with that psychiatrist guy? Ugh. I think some of that stuff isn't exactly legal.
In the second half, there are a few creepy scenes done in traditional Jacques tourneur style. The swimming pool scene especially and the scene in the office are effective. The black and white is effective when it comes to these scenes. Simone simon is good as the creepy Irena. Obviously the less is more approach is used often here because of censorship restrictions. But they work as far as this movie is concerned.
The movie feels longer than its runtime. I liked it but there are some problems.
6/10
Honestly I couldn't relate much to the girl. I kept feeling sorry for the guy who is stuck in this unique situation. What if he had just fallen in love first with that fun loving Alice character? She is so funny and outgoing in contrast to this cold woman. I thought Irena often behaved coldly to her husband and he was as nice as possible to her. Finally after some time with this behaviour, he finally got tired of it. In any case, he could never have a normal life with her. If they did get a divorce, maybe she can mate with that panther and have a happy life. If it was in the current day, he wouldn't have to marry her after just a tea in her apartment. In the olden days, things were different I guess. And what's up with that psychiatrist guy? Ugh. I think some of that stuff isn't exactly legal.
In the second half, there are a few creepy scenes done in traditional Jacques tourneur style. The swimming pool scene especially and the scene in the office are effective. The black and white is effective when it comes to these scenes. Simone simon is good as the creepy Irena. Obviously the less is more approach is used often here because of censorship restrictions. But they work as far as this movie is concerned.
The movie feels longer than its runtime. I liked it but there are some problems.
6/10