Feline doubts

[bondo_ba]

Cat People (1942) is one of the more interesting horror films that I've seen in the 1001 Movies.  The thing that makes it notable is the fact that it becomes a psychological thriller instead of a straight makeup and effects horror film, mainly due, I imagine, to the low budget available

Comments

[msstacy13]

*sigh*
I'm so darned predictable...

But, yeah, whether it's the budget or the Hays office,
or casting Fred MacMurray because nobody else will take the part,
placing arbitrary constraints on a film can make it better.

Kind of like State and Main, when they don't have a mill, and can't show her breasts...
:)

[bondo_ba]

Hmm. Haven't seen that one.

I actually find it also helps when writing, which is why I love to write stories for themed anthos. Even if I don't happen to sell it where it was intended, I usually end up with a decent story for my pains.

[msstacy13]

I don't know if it's on the list, but it's among my favourites.
I don't know how many movies have been made
about the difficulties of making a movie,
but State and Main is easily the best-in-class.
If you particularly like David Mamet films,
and like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rebecca Pidgeon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Stiles, William H. Macy or Alec Baldwin,
then it's even better...
Possibly the best-put-together movie ever;
I can't think of another movie where all the pivotal details
are so perfectly set up.
So many things are left in plain sight without being obvious;
foreshadowed without beng telegraphed...

And I watched it at least three times before I realized it was a comedy...

[bondo_ba]

On my radar now... I will look out for it!

[snapes_angel]

It has been a long time since I saw it. I am debating an Amazon.com rental, later today, now. Maybe after my physical therapy session. The challenging ones are always the best, since a lot of thought had to be put ijto their execution.

[bondo_ba]

Hope you enjoy it! It's kind of strange, and a bit unsatisfying in that the ending is open to interpretation. But as I said, that may actually be precisely why it's so great!

[snapes_angel]

The ending was not quite so ambiguous, as it was strongly suggested to her by the psychiatrist in the story. The Doc was trying to put the mives on her.

The growling was a nice touch. The human mind can cause the human body, including the vocal chords, to produce surprising sounds and effects. The question of whether she transformed into an actual feline predator, or her own interpretation of a feline predator, is never answered, by the ending, and the casting of shadows, though ambiguous enough, fit the darkening mood of the film and her transition to a oanther, be it within her own mind, or on a more physical level.

We are watching the descent of a human soul here, and the director nudges in that direction without being too subtle, though in a good cinematic way. At least, that is my opinion. ;)

[snapes_angel]

And it actually posted, without dying. Win!