I love horror movies--old and new, black & white and color, silents and talkies--and I have made it a point to see all the major films in the genre.
Almost ten years ago, I found a copy of "Cat People", and I'm sorry to say that I was bored. I expected to see some cool transformations like Lon Chaney in "The Wolf Man" (or at least something hokey like "Captive Wild Woman"). There were clearly some good scenes in the film, but it felt like it never really gave a good pay off.
Well, after reading a few reviews from people who admired the film and almost a decade of maturing in my film tastes, I decided to give it another chance and watch it with a different perspective. Upon a second viewing, I must say that I was really impressed with this film, and I think it ranks right up there with many of the other classics.
Don't watch this movie with a 21st century mindset, expecting to see all sorts of crazy cat transformation special effects. If you do, you will certainly be disappointed. What makes this film so excellent is how well it establishes a mood. This film is not about shock and horror, but about a slow and steady feeling of dread and fear.
This movie taps into basic fear: Irena keeps everything to herself, holding back her affections and her fears (that she is a cat person). She holds all of these things back from everyone, even the person closest to her, her husband. Most of us have experienced something along these lines--we are afraid to reveal too much about ourselves, because we fear that there is something wrong with us, and we don't want to be exposed for who we are. We would rather be isolated than honest. Most of us eventually realize that it's better to be open and forthright, but before we are ready to take that step, there is that nagging question: What if our fears were right? What if we dare to live life, express our emotions, feel deeply, reveal who we are--and what if this exposes something terrible about ourselves? At different points in the movies, the three main characters struggle with this basic fear in various ways. Perhaps the movies is saying that, ultimately, we have to face our fears and come to terms with who we are, even if it kills us.
If you want to watch a special effects stravaganza, this is not the film for you. But if you want a creepy, thoughtful film--and if you're willing to meet it on its own terms--this movie will not disappoint.
Almost ten years ago, I found a copy of "Cat People", and I'm sorry to say that I was bored. I expected to see some cool transformations like Lon Chaney in "The Wolf Man" (or at least something hokey like "Captive Wild Woman"). There were clearly some good scenes in the film, but it felt like it never really gave a good pay off.
Well, after reading a few reviews from people who admired the film and almost a decade of maturing in my film tastes, I decided to give it another chance and watch it with a different perspective. Upon a second viewing, I must say that I was really impressed with this film, and I think it ranks right up there with many of the other classics.
Don't watch this movie with a 21st century mindset, expecting to see all sorts of crazy cat transformation special effects. If you do, you will certainly be disappointed. What makes this film so excellent is how well it establishes a mood. This film is not about shock and horror, but about a slow and steady feeling of dread and fear.
This movie taps into basic fear: Irena keeps everything to herself, holding back her affections and her fears (that she is a cat person). She holds all of these things back from everyone, even the person closest to her, her husband. Most of us have experienced something along these lines--we are afraid to reveal too much about ourselves, because we fear that there is something wrong with us, and we don't want to be exposed for who we are. We would rather be isolated than honest. Most of us eventually realize that it's better to be open and forthright, but before we are ready to take that step, there is that nagging question: What if our fears were right? What if we dare to live life, express our emotions, feel deeply, reveal who we are--and what if this exposes something terrible about ourselves? At different points in the movies, the three main characters struggle with this basic fear in various ways. Perhaps the movies is saying that, ultimately, we have to face our fears and come to terms with who we are, even if it kills us.
If you want to watch a special effects stravaganza, this is not the film for you. But if you want a creepy, thoughtful film--and if you're willing to meet it on its own terms--this movie will not disappoint.