Roman Polanski’s first feature pulled in a sizable crowd this week… including a bunch of newbies who couldn’t believe their luck in discovering MovieNight. I love that, but frankly, I was a bit surprised. Why? Because often the mere mention that a film is Polish can turn people off. Even Poles react this way, perhaps out of a tormented self-loathing. Poles are strange and lovely. Yet, I digress…
Knife in the Water turned out to be a great MovieNight choice. On its surface (pun intended), the movie is very economical; two men (one older and wealthy, the other a young drifter, living rough) competing for the attention of a young woman on a sailboat. The dialogue is somewhat sparse (indeed, there are many lines that pass without subtitles), but the camera work and shot blocking are nothing short of genius. As the balance of power shifts back and forth between the two men, changes in the wind direction cause the boat’s boom to swing from side to side. Lots of symbolism here, and lots that I’ve managed to miss during past viewings. Also, some pretty innuendo-laced dialog: “Get down there. Get in the fo’c’s’le. You’ll find a box there. There’s a rag in the box.” A rag in the box? Pullease!
Our slightly smaller space is actually nicer as a screening room; more intimate, quieter. And howz about them apples [home-made ‘teen Acres apple chutney with Stilton cheese. Yumski!]?
More about this film on IMDb 