Review by Peter Syslo
ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968) is a classic film from director Roman Polanski. People have been talking about this film for years and I thought that I would finally watch it and give it a try. I do like to delve into the past and I am a horror fan that does appreciate the precursors to the modern-day films. I admit, it is quite a change of pace because films back then were not as intricate or as fast-paced as today. It's not a criticism of today's films, it's just that it is a by-product of technology – people are now conditioned to viewing a lot of stimuli, at a very fast rate. So, I do understand when a younger horror fan cannot “get into” the older pictures. ROSEMARY'S BABY is a perfect example of a slower-paced horror film which rests a lot on the script, the acting, and the atmosphere/mood. You don't get thrills and chills ever moment of the film, but you do get an extremely well-made film, which probably offended a lot of people who are of the Christian-persuasion. For that fact alone, I think that the film is worthy of its “classic” status.
ROSEMARY'S BABY is written and directed by the legendary Roman Polanski and it is produced by horror mogul William Castle. The film stars Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, and Ralph Bellamy.
The film is about a couple, Guy and Rosemary (Cassavetes and Farrow), who are moving into a new apartment building. It is an older, turn-of-the-century-looking place with a lot of history and a lot of peculiar neighbors. They are befriended by an elderly couple (Gordon and Blackmer) who live next door to them. You see, the elderly couple's young, female house-guest recently committed suicide and that is how the neighboring couples get “chummy”. Guy is trying to become a working actor and Rosemary is more of the stay-at-home type. One night, they decide to have a baby but Rosemary suddenly becomes ill, after eating a dessert made by her elderly neighbor. Later that evening, she has vivid dreams that she is being raped by a beast who bears a striking resemblance to you-know-who, Satan. After learning that she really is pregnant and thinking that the whole episode was a hallucination/dream, Rosemary happily begins her pregnant journey. But, as time goes on and her pregnancy becomes problematic, she wonders if she really was seduced by the dark side, and she starts to wonder if everyone close to her (including Guy, her doctor, and her neighbors) is “in” on the diabolical plan.
ROSEMARY'S BABY is one of those films that enables you to kick-back, relax, and take in a really good story. The details are important, so you do have to pay attention, but the film has a lulling kind of effect which makes it very easy to digest. The film has great acting all-around, from the semi-clueless and gullible Rosemary (Farrow can carry whole scenes just with her eyes) to the friend/enemy neighbor played by Ruth Gordon (she was absolutely incredible). Like I always say, the devil will approach you as a friend, not as some fire-breathing monster. The cast was amazing, the story was in a literary vein, and the atmosphere of the picture was surreal yet beautiful. Polanski creates such texture and balance, in every scene. For instance, in one scene, Rosemary is experiencing nausea from the pregnancy and she is wearing these blue slippers which are balanced with some dark blue from the outside sky and all of that is balanced with the other white/gray colors in the scene; several scenes appeared like that, almost like paintings. Also, the sheer beauty of this older NYC building is awesome; you wouldn't think that a Satanic cult would reside in an apartment building, but if it did, this would be the perfect place – kind of like Pacino's high-rise in THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE. The architecture of the building almost has a “religious” appearance to it, with the white, sculpted walls, illuminating windows, and the high ceilings. The building itself is foreboding and that is nicely contrasted with the hustle-and-bustle of the NYC streets.
The pace of the film is very deliberate; Polanski takes his time telling the story and he gently eases the viewer in and out of every scene. It really does have a lulling effect, which draws you into the film. The Satanic-seduction scene is a surreal piece of film; it is just a classic scene and one of the most memorable in horror history. It is not a brutal scene, but it is done with such style and finesse that it just washes over you and kind of makes you go along with it. That's the best way that I could describe it. Polanski successfully brings the viewer into the film and you will accept what he presents to you. The content of the film is really dark when you think about it – especially for that time period. Man, he must have ruffled some Christian feathers. The film sort of seduces the viewer; you are not necessarily offended by the situation and you don't want Rosemary to resist (you actually think that she may be crazy). Like that devilish manipulation, this film comes at you as a friend and makes you an offer that you don't want to refuse.
Gnawing through the flesh: ROSEMARY'S BABY is great. I enjoyed it very much and I could see why it is an iconic film – it definitely lives up to the hype. I really can't find fault with it and I have to say that I absolutely loved the ending. I thought that it was going to go a different way but I was so happy that it went the way it did – simply awesome ending. It was perfect and that ending must have freaked people out back in 1968 (at least, until THE EXORCIST came out, five years later). This film is purely psychological/occult horror – there really is no blood or violence in it. It plays on story, acting, and the beautiful atmosphere and serene mood. The whole picture is dream-like and it does leave that lasting impression on you (at least it did on me). As I said before, the pacing may seem very slow to some and I could understand why a modern horror fan may not get into it. ROSEMARY'S BABY speaks to those fans who enjoy the horror film classics from the 1930s to the 1970s. Basically, if you like occult horror from the 1970s (Foreign or American) or if you purchased the 50 HORROR CLASSICS DVD collection, then this will definitely be “up your alley”. I do urge modern horror fans to at least give it a try. Also, this is a “safer” movie to watch with a woman or even with your family members, so consider that. If you want to examine the roots of modern horror and you want to check out something that is considered a classic, then ROSEMARY'S BABY is worth the watch. I give it a 10/10.