Play Misty for Me (1971)

User Review

• 

  BarneyNuttall

  8 / 10

  Play Misty For Me is a chilling thriller with a clear Hitchcockian influence. Clint Eastwood debuts as a fearless director, never shying away from violence or scenes of discomfort.
  
  While Eastwood's performance is perhaps style over substance, his directing skill is impressive. Tension is built brilliantly with some moments that made me audibly gasp. As I mentioned prior, Hitchcock is a clear inspiration, particularly Psycho which draws many parallels.
  
  However, Jessica Walter completely overshadows Eastwood with an unhinged performance. Evelyn is sympathetic, pathetic, sexy and terrifying all at once. Walter manages a perfect consensus between all of these stringent emotions, pulling them together to form a genuine nightmare.
  
  There are moments which drag, particularly long montages of Eastwood and Donna Mills walking through verdant woods slowly taking more and more clothes off. But, aside from these excursions, the film is a thriller staple and an excellent debut.

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