I ended up watching this film with absolutely no preconceptions whatsoever, due entirely to the fact that I had never heard of the film before, (ignorance rules o.k!).
What I was presented with was an absolute feast of superb acting, Arkin & Hepburn especially. A plot that constantly led the viewer into a false sense of expectation, YES we knew Audrey was going to come out unscathed, but everything else in between ??? The girl who played 'Gloria' was sinister in her own right, & could surely have gone on & played many a possessed child in many a 'poltergeist' type film, had the opportunity arisen.
Personally speaking, I have a very short attention span when it comes to movies of any kind, but this one gripped me from start to end. Arkin wouldn't have looked out of place in a 1990's pulp fiction genre. Scary, believable, superb! Hepburn was her usual vivacious self, apparently revelling in the blind woman against all odds scenario, superb!
Two scary, sh** I wasn't expecting that, type of moments came in the form of the Arkin's car driving, & his incredible gymnastic spring towards the end. Corny maybe?, but so well done it can be totally forgiven.
The fact is, that this could so very easily have become a very mediocre 'stage play to film' adaptation. What makes it that little bit special is very hard to pinpoint. Perhaps it's because it's NOT a Hitchcock, but could so very easily have been. One can only ponder how the master of suspense himself could have improved this gem of film?
I would recommend anyone who watches this movie, to dim the lights to a mere glow, & prepare to be sucked in!
& remember to guard your luggage just that little more carefully next time at the airport!
What I was presented with was an absolute feast of superb acting, Arkin & Hepburn especially. A plot that constantly led the viewer into a false sense of expectation, YES we knew Audrey was going to come out unscathed, but everything else in between ??? The girl who played 'Gloria' was sinister in her own right, & could surely have gone on & played many a possessed child in many a 'poltergeist' type film, had the opportunity arisen.
Personally speaking, I have a very short attention span when it comes to movies of any kind, but this one gripped me from start to end. Arkin wouldn't have looked out of place in a 1990's pulp fiction genre. Scary, believable, superb! Hepburn was her usual vivacious self, apparently revelling in the blind woman against all odds scenario, superb!
Two scary, sh** I wasn't expecting that, type of moments came in the form of the Arkin's car driving, & his incredible gymnastic spring towards the end. Corny maybe?, but so well done it can be totally forgiven.
The fact is, that this could so very easily have become a very mediocre 'stage play to film' adaptation. What makes it that little bit special is very hard to pinpoint. Perhaps it's because it's NOT a Hitchcock, but could so very easily have been. One can only ponder how the master of suspense himself could have improved this gem of film?
I would recommend anyone who watches this movie, to dim the lights to a mere glow, & prepare to be sucked in!
& remember to guard your luggage just that little more carefully next time at the airport!