Genre Grandeur – Cul-de-Sac (1966) – The Girl Who Loved to Review

For this month’s next review for Genre Grandeur – Black & White Movies, here’s a review of Cul-de-Sac (1966) by Sherise of The Girl That Loved to Review

Thanks again to Steven of Past Present Future TV and Film. for choosing this month’s genre.

Next month’s Genre has been chosen by Sherise of The Girl That Loved to Review.  We will be reviewing our favorite movies from the 1970’s. Please get me your submissions by the 25th of September by sending them to 70sfilms@movierob.net  Try to think out of the box! Great choice Sherise!

Let’s see what Sherise thought of this movie:

_________________________________

This is a relatively unknown film, which is a shame as it is one of the best dark comedies I have ever seen. Cul-de-Sac is Roman Polanski’s second English language film. It was made just two years before he would break into Hollywood with Rosemary’s Baby. Cul-de-Sac is about two gangsters on the run after a failed robbery. They take refuge on a secluded island with an Englishman and his French wife.

Cul-de-Sac is quite similar to Polanski’s first feature film, Knife in the Water. Both movies are shot in black and white and there are three characters trapped together in a confined space. The drama of the films comes from the shifting power dynamics between the three characters. Knife in the Water is a dark, serious, atmospheric film. As is conveyed in its title there is an air of danger. Cul-de-Sac is very different because while it is also dark it is probably the closest Polanski has come to doing a strict comedy.

Cul-de-Sac is witty and very quirky. It is a rare film in that it is totally the director’s vision. Some films you can feel the influence of a movie studio or a producer exerting control. But Cul-de-Sac is all Polanski. It’s probably not a movie that everyone would enjoy, but I think that most people would be surprised by how fun it really is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_rANpZWXLQ