#PopCultureResolution - Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary's Baby

Director: Roman Polanski

Length: 136 minutes

Cast: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon

Release Date: June 12, 1968

Synopsis: A young wife comes to believe that her offspring is not of this world. Waifish Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her struggling actor husband Guy (John Cassavetes) move to a New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and odd neighbors Roman and Minnie Castavet (Sidney Blackmer, Ruth Gordon). When Rosemary becomes pregnant she becomes increasingly isolated, and the diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth.

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September's #PopCultureResolution pick was Rosemary's Baby. A movie that brings forth many feelings and reactions. It is, on one hand, a well renowned horror movie that is often included in many must watch lists. It also happens to be directed by Roman Polanski which is certain to shade how you view this movie. 

A taunt thriller that is steeped in paranoia and unease. This movie is more unsettling than scary. It manages to tightrope walk between the unraveling of Rosemary and the dark forces at play. It creates something that makes you sit in both dread and anticipation with fists clenched. It is the mood and atmosphere of the movie that makes it resonate and largely why it became the classic that it is.

Mia Farrow's captivating performance is also a large part of what centers this movie. She manages to seem fragile and strong at the same time. You care about what she is going through and that means you care about the movie. She was nominated for a few awards for this role and it is easy to see why (minus a few missteps toward the end that feel more a lack of direction rather than choices she made).

The ending is, for me, a bit of a contradiction. There are elements and choices I loved but it feels off toneally compared with the rest of the movie. It didn't have the feel I think it should have and it is the one time I feel the acting from everyone is not as strong as the rest of the movie. It, at times, felt overacted and it does not land the way it should have. 

Rosemary's Baby is a classic for a reason. It masterfully creates a sense of dread and paranoia that crescendos into an ending that just doesn't live up to its promise. It is a small misstep that only slightly impacted my opinion of the movie. 

This one was more unsettling than scary but it is definitely still worth a watch during the spookiest of seasons.