By Melissa Antoinette Garza
In the past, I’ve shied away from reviewing ROSEMARY’S BABY (1968) despite it being one of my favorite films. As a woman and a human being, Roman Polanski is not my favorite person. Rather than getting on an unpleasant soapbox, I’ll simply note that sometimes very bad people create some magnificent work, and with that –
We open with Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavetes) looking at a new apartment far better than the hole-in-the-wall they live in now. It’s rent controlled, spacious and in a seemingly great neighborhood.
Still, it is odd that the real estate agent Mr. Nicklas (Elisha Cook Jr.) noticed an antique sideboard was moved from the hallway to against a closet. Nicklas moves the buffet and opens the door revealing only a vacuum and a few small things. So all is right with the new place then, right? Well no.
Their existing landlord Hutch (Maurice Evans) is nice enough to let them out of their lease and give them a recommendation, but he is worried about the move. The building Rosemary and Guy have picked is riddled with a wild history of past tenants who dabbled in everything from cannibalism, witchcraft, dead children and Satan worship.
Convinced that every building has some baggage, the couple move in and share their first night making love on the floor of their new apartment. Over the next few days, they make their place home by redecorating. Rosemary works hard all day, only taking breaks hen she notices that one of Guy’s acting gigs as a commercial spokesperson is airing on TV. He has dreams of making it big and being a successful leading man.
While doing laundry, Rosemary meets Terry (Victoria Vetri) and remarks on how much she looks like the actress Victoria Vetri – well played. Terry’s a spunky fun recovering drug addict who wears a good-luck charm around her neck. The charm was given by Rosemary’s neighbors Minnie (Ruth Gordon) and Roman Castevet (Sidney Blackmer).
Minnie and Roman are a seemingly nice elderly couple who took Terry off the streets when she was homeless and addicted. Sadly, her salvation doesn’t last long as only a night after Rosemary and Guy hear some strange chanting from the Castevet’s apartment above , Terry is found dead in an apparent suicide. I mean there’s a note and everything – so case closed!
The Castevets arrive home to find the police asking questions about Terry. They seem understandably upset, but both are dressed marvelously. Roman dons a red pinstriped suit with a matching bow-tie and pocket square. His hat is a pork pie gray with a wrap-around piece of silk that perfectly matches the suit. Still, his ensemble has noting on what Minnie wears. She has a white silk floral hat and a busy little dress that matches her fiery personality.
The next day Minnie shows up to meet Rosemary and thank her for being so kind about Terry. Minnie is just a firecracker. She’s spunky, fun and crazy. I love her. She invites Rosemary over for dinner and she reluctantly accepts. They become fast friends, though soon things start changing.
Rosemary suffers nightmares. Roman and Minnie seem nice, but there’s just something about them that isn’t right. They’re so intrusive and when Rosemary gets pregnant the interest they take is beyond that of friends.
Not to mention, the side effects Rosemary suffers during pregnancy isn’t the average morning sickness and her cravings are downright bizarre.
On the plus, Guy’s career has turned around. An actor he was the understudy for became blind. Guy was granted the part and though initially upset about getting it that way soon becomes in high studio demand. Does that have anything to do with all the weird things going on? Yes, of course it does.
I don’t think I’ll be spoiling anything for anyone if I let the obvious cat out of the bag. The Castevets are Satanists! As a child, this film made me want to be a full-on Satanist. Again, I had (and arguably have) some issues. I was already hooked on Ruth Gordon from HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971) and DON’T GO TO SLEEP (1982). When I like someone, I’m a ride-or-die gal. I still have this disposition, but it was far worse in my childhood. Not only did I idolize Gordon. I idolized every character she portrayed. She could just do no wrong in my eyes and therefore I was on #TeamMinnie. Gordon was just a sensationally vibrant lady. I love all of her work, but here particularly the bombastic nature she used for Minnie is fantastic. I loved Ruth Gordon at 4. I love her still. I’ll love her forever. I’d sell my soul to Satan just to get her presence brightening up this planet for another day. RIP
Sidney Blackmer was as perfect in his role. He portrayed the dastardly Devil Lover as a charming, articulate and logical gent. He has such a likability to him that it is no wonder why Rosemary and Guy would get so involved with the duo.
John Cassavetes is fantastic in the male lead. He allows Guy to evolve (or devolve) nicely and in a genuine way. Though certain elements within the story that are intended to shock are predictable, it is Cassavetes portrayal which keeps his character fascinating.
And then there’s Mia – I adore Mia Farrow. She is a hero in EVERY since of the word. She was amazing in this film. I could go on for days about how she ensured that the innocence and naivete of Rosemary was not mistaken for stupidity or incomprehension. I could talk about how she uses Rosemary’s kindness and good nature throughout the film to explain the final decision the character makes. I could talk about how Farrow believably turned what is on the surface a housewife who never heard the concept of feminism into a fierce, independent, self-determined woman. I could go on and on about the character of Rosemary, but what Mia Farrow has done for human rights, women, and protecting children far outweighs anything she has done on screen.
If you have STARZ this is streaming for free. Otherwise, dig thru your DVDS or pony up the bucks for streaming rentals or purchase. This is definitely one to own. It’s a classic for a reason and I’d be lying if I didn’t say Director Dipshit is a big reason why.
Scared Stiff Rating: 10/10
