Repulsion Review

Repulsion

1965

[1] Repulsion, 1965 

Repulsion is, unsurprisingly, a very repulsive film made in 1965. It was written by Roman Polanski and stars Catherine Deneuve as the twisted psycho woman who we follow throughout the film.

Repulsion is about a woman(Carol) who despises men, this is brought out by Carols older sisters husband Michael. Carol gets spotted by a man called Colin while she is having lunch. Colin quickly arranges a date with Carol, which she doesnt exactly accept because of reasons she cannot explain to Colin (her reasons for not liking men). We follow Carol through the story as she becomes more and more mentally unstable.

[2] Close up: Carol

Camera angles in Repulsion were a bit distorted or bent at times, especially in the opening 5 minutes. This is no mistake however, this is a good method used in films to portray the actual moment of distortion one is feeling in ones mind. Repulsion uses it in some of Carols dream sequences and when she isnt feeling too good. Another camera shot used for specific reason were the close ups. Close ups are used often throughout the film, mostly on Carol, again to show emotion and thought. There is a scene where Carol is trying to sleep through the love making noises her sister and her husband are making in the next room. The camera is close on her face as she listens to their pleasurable sounds. It becomes invasive and oppressing, conjuring up Carol’s longing for physical touch but also her fear of it.

[1]"The scene in which Deneuve thinks she sees a man behind her in the mirror is utterly terrifying, and has been used by every horror-movie director in the world..." (DaisyDeadhead, 2009)

The use of mirrors is another of Polanski's techniques to make the homely unhomely. Polanksi is said to be one of the first to imply this use of mirrors in a film. A mirror is nothing to be scared of, but using it to suggest someone is behind Carol, and somewhat questioning the audience to think "is he there or not?" is a very effective way of creating suspense. We have seen this mirror technique in loads of later horror films since Repulsion and it has slowly become "the norm" in the horror genre, alongside creepy shadows and bumps in the night.

[2]"The visual monotony is combined with a storyline that wears down rather than amps up." (Biodrowski, 2009)

The narrative structure of Repulsion is distinctively different to most other horrors. As Biodrowski says the storyline wears down rather then amps up, which leaves the audience without the catharsis of an explosive climax. This ultimately works for Repulsion however as it elaborates on the graphic/creepy/horrific scenes, giving them a tension boost almost. Also, light and dark shades are used cleverly throughout the film. Notice when she wakes up for a normal day at work, the sun shines bright through the window. When she wakes up from a nightmare however, the scene is still rendered with dim dark lighting, suggesting that the nightmare she faces never ends and she lives it. 

[3]Carol on the phone

[3]"REPULSION may not be perfect, but it is an excellent example of the ”horror of personality” sub-genre." (Biodrowski, 2009)

This is well said by Biodrowski. The film isnt exactly mainstream horror, but more of a horrific insight into the development process of Carol slowly becoming mad due to her fear and confusion of men. The sad journey in itself is Repulsions horror factor, imperfections tend to fade from memory once you're fully indulged in the Repulsiveness.


Bibliography:

[1] DaisyDeadhead, 2009, Daisy's Dead Air: Repulsion [online] Available at
http://daisysdeadair.blogspot.com/2009/09/repulsion-1965.html
[2] Steve Biodrowski, 2009, Cinefantastique: the website with a sense of wonder [online] Available at 
http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2009/07/repulsion-1965-horror-film-review/ 
[3] Steve Biodrowski, 2009, Cinefantastique: the website with a sense of wonder [online] Available at 
http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2009/07/repulsion-1965-horror-film-review/ 
Illustration List:

[1] Roman Polanski (1965), Repulsion [electronic print] Available at:
http://daisysdeadair.blogspot.com/2009/09/repulsion-1965.html
[2] Roman Polanski (1965), Close Up: Carol. [electronic print] Available at:
http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2009/07/repulsion-1965-horror-film-review/
[3] Roman Polanski (1965), Carol on the phone. [electronic print] Available at: http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/2006/020906/calendar.html