31-days-of-halloween

Truly one of the greatest horror / thrillers of the 1970’s. Don’t Look Now (1973) absolutely bursts with creepy atmosphere. The story involves a married couple who tragically lose their young daughter in a drowning accident. An uncommon premise for a horror film and yet this starting point is such a brilliant concept that allows not only for a unique tale of intrigue and suspense but also works on a more thematic level exploring concepts such as grief and loss. The couple come in contact with some psychics that reveal details about their dead daughter that cause the couple to question the barrier between life and death. Of course things are not as they seem.

Starring Donald Sutherland (probably best known these days for his role in The Hunger Games as President Snow) as the father and Julie Christie (known for Dr. Zhivago and many others) as the mother. Both are excellent here, creating a believable couple dealing with horrible grief. My one complaint is the horrible curly whig that Donald Sutherland was forced to wear throughout the film. So distracting.

The script is so well-paced, letting the sad events unfold, then masterfully building tension as a sense of foreboding and dread overtakes things when events turn darker and more bizarre. Brilliant horror film and a must see.