Conference bookie::movies

754.0. "DEATH & THE MAIDEN" by SWAM2::SMITH_MA () Mon Jan 30 1995 20:10

    Saw this one yesterday (absolutley refused to watch the Superbowl)...
    
    DEATH AND THE MAIDEN
    Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley and (Oh shoot can't think of his
    name)
    Directed by: Roman Polanski
    Running time: one hour, forty-five minutes
    
    This is based on the play of the same name.  It's premise is simple, a
    woman (Weaver) who was a political prisoner in the late 70's and was
    brutally and repeatedly tortured, has the opportunity fifteen or so
    years later to kidnap the man who held her captive (Kingsley) and try 
    to extract a confession.
    
    The movie is intense and focused (the whole think basically takes place
    in the living room of the woman and her husband) and is in almost real
    time.  I thought it was pretty good.  Good acting all around.  A little
    slow in places, but worth seeing.  It's pretty dark and intense though,
    so be warned.
    
    MJ

    I saw the stage play in the west end a couple of years ago, and thought
    then that the story was very emotive and of great intrest.
    
    I have my doub

    I also saw the stage production by the Steppenwolf Theatre Co., while I
    still lived in Chicago.
    
    It was a very intense performance. John Mahoney played the Kingsley
    part. Rondi Reed played the female lead.
    
    At the end, the two characters had so completely changed roles of
    torturer/victim that one didn't know if he was really the right person
    or was just responding to the duress of the moment. 
    
    I thoroughly enjoyed the play, I hope I would like the movie.

    Finally saw this about a month ago - riveting performances and a very
    focused production indeed. Not one for the feint hearted tho ...