Death and the Maiden . Tucson Weekly . 02-09-95

Death and the Maiden

DIRECTED BY: Roman Polanski

REVIEWED: 02-09-95

Adapted from Ariel Dorfman's play about the tension in a Latin American country that has just overcome a fascist government, this political thriller places a torture victim (Sigourney Weaver), her diplomat huband (Stuart Wilson) and a man whom she believes to be her torturer (Ben Kingsley) together in a secluded beach house. Weaver ties up Kingsley and attempts to coerce a confession out of him, but Wilson (and the audience) remains uncertain of his guilt. Roman Polanski directs this power-play with his trademark perverted eye, and the actors do their best with the material, but the casting is weak. Weaver's angry descriptions of victimhood sound off-key, and all speak with American, not Latino, accents.

--Zachary Woodruff

Other Films by Roman Polanski
Bitter Moon
Repulsion

Film Vault Suggested Links
The Babysitter
The Devil's Own
All the Little Animals

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