Knife in the Water (1962)

Knife in the Water is again one of the Polanski films I have set on seeing. It is his debut feature, and all of his talent is present here in this unpredictable, tense, and complex character-driven film.

The film enters a sense of ambiguity. It's good not to read too much on it, as the characters themselves are always behind a curtain. We see what they do, and we notice glimpses In their faces that tell their story, yet the reasons for their actions a times aren't always clear. The film itself is completely magnificent. The ambiguity of the characters, along with a well-paced story of events unfolding, creates this intriguing sense of unpredictability and excitement in the story- telling. It takes in the tension of a regular thriller, yet it never is that. Not even as the film continues, and even in the big 'event' that involves the breaking of the triangle, the film continues to surprise up until the ending. Not once did I stop dangling at the edge of my seat.

Ultimately, this is a masterpiece. Great direction filled with a brilliant screenplay, it is probably the best debut film I have ever seen, as well as the best foreign-language film ever. I am not overestimating that, just thinking about this film gives me goosebumps. There aren't many films with sort of ambiguities like this, filling up each of the characters and the events of their lives.
10/10


*beep* i need to see The Tenant!!! It aint nowhere online!



http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000005/nest/185430656