The film simply gnaws at you from start to finish, setting up perplexing little set pieces that you're not sure how to take. Meanwhile the clever, inventive Roeg inserts several of his trademark wacky histrionic shots to keep us on our toes! But the best thing about the film is the central marriage relationship portrayed by Sutherland and Christie--it's natural, edgy, fascinating and quite sexy, all complicated by the loss of a child and the confusing series of events in Venice. If the film gets a bit hyperventilated and strange as the internal tension increases, at least there's still this solid central core to keep it gripping ... and darkly moving.

strong adult themes and situations, language, violence, nudity

15.Mar.01

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