Cat People (1982) was on late last night and I was able to
watch most of it, but thankfully it popped back up early this morning so I
could finish it. Fatigue of the day can kind of undermine intentions. I am just
a big fan of this film and while I have a meaty review in me for this, I would
prefer to wait and give it the proper due it richly deserves. Now this isn’t a
critical darling, and comparisons to the classic Val Lewton production doesn’t
help matters (excited to get to it probably next week when I do the customary
Lewton October binge), but I think Schrader’s film is sensual, alluring,
visceral, and visually exciting. And Kinski (and O’Toole…whew was she prime
sexy in the early 80s!) is the perfect casting choice for the lead, considering
the requirement of being naked and seductive are primary demands for the role.
The walk up the stairs as Kinski draws the late, great John Heard (while many
know him as Kevin’s dad in Home Alone (1990), I think people owe to themselves
to see him in Cutter’s Way) towards her is among my favorites in film…that
might be laughed at but I’m serious. I will definitely talk of that scene in
the future when I can elaborate a bit more on the film. Cat People did manage to make the October cut in years past. I like
watching at this time of the year, but I could watch it at any point really. It
certainly is my choice for a great late night horror film with plenty of sexual
indulgences. Malcolm McDowell is incredible in this, too, I think, about as
close in male form to Kinski as casting possibly permits. Heard plays the zoo
doc very seriously, and there is not a great deal of aggressive personality in
the character. It is amazing to me that he’d go from this to CHUD (1984) in
just a manner of two years. He had to probably ponder what he squandered…and
this is coming from someone who admittedly (not without a cough and a choke…)
enjoys CHUD! Still, he was in the
best shape of his life in Cat People
and Kinski lures him to her with little effort. Of course, Kinski could just
walk around and eyes follow her…I consider her a powerful presence on film.
This and one of my all-time favorite films (Paris, Texas (1984)) know exactly
how to frame her, and the camera just adores her. O’Toole is just delicious…if
Kinski wasn’t in this, plenty of attention would be deservedly given to her!
And this film has a terrific setting for such a sexually charged film: Nawlins.
Moroder’s score, Bailey’s cinematography (I love his work on another Schrader
film, American Gigolo with Richard
Gere), the location, and those “leopards” pop off the screen to me every time.
And poor Begley’s arm coming off thanks to the big, black cat [McDowell in
leopard form], bleeding in a pool on the floor, among other grisly highlights
give us the gore a horror film of the early 80s seemed to expect…
Long live David Bowie! "It's been sooooo long."
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