Review of Pretty Poison

Introduction

I hadn`t really heard much about this hidden gem but have to say that, with no really definable expectations, I was mightily impressed. This is one of those magic movies that combines a great screenplay with a near perfect cast, great cinematography and crafted direction.

Anthony Perkins (best known as Norman Bates in Hitchcock classic `Psycho` - as if you didn`t know) is perfectly cast as Dennis Pitt, an ex-con out on parole, who`s clearly a few cans short of the six-pack. Pitt is a fantasist who, jailed years earlier for malicious arson that ended in the death of a relative, is still prone to worrying flights of fancy. On his release he goes to a small industrial town to take up employment in a local chemical plant.

But Pitt is soon engaged in imaginary espionage and attracts the attention of what appears to be a naïve and vulnerable high school girl, Sue Ann (played by the gorgeous Tuesday Weld).

She`s having domestic problems of her own (teenage style arguments with a domineering Mother) and soon falls under Pitt`s spell, joining him on his undercover missions. He tells her that he works for the CIA and she seems to fall for it - being drawn deeper and deeper into his fantasy world until one day, when they are taking pictures of the plant late at night, she coshes a watchman and drowns him. Pitt is speechless - struck dumb at how bad things have got and how cold and callous the murder.

The plot twists and turns further and it`s not long until, as a viewer, you`re unsure who`s actually manipulating whom.

In common with `Bonnie and Clyde`, and the countless serial-killing twosomes that followed, the pair fall in love, though it`s a weird and unconvincing love - which makes more sense as the movie progresses.

The final twist is really quite thought provoking, though I won`t spoil it for you here.

Amazingly `Pretty Poison` was Director Noel Black`s first feature. He had previously only directed a non-dialogue short, though he did exceptionally well here. But despite this amazing debut, he never really graduated much beyond TV movies and TV episode direction during the 70`s and 80`s.

And poor old Anthony Perkins! He was so convincing in this second outing of schizophrenic weirdness that he was never really considered for much else, despite being an incredible acting talent who was perfect for the disciplines of cinema acting. His incredibly subtle use of slight eye movement and minor facial tics would never have worked in theatre, but work brilliantly here.

Video

Presented in 2:35:1 (which may or may not be the original ratio - there are a couple of suspect scenes that look like there may be minor cropping afoot), and it`s in near perfect condition. The transfer is well handled with no signs of artefacting or heavy compression. All in all - very impressive for a film of this age.

Audio

Presented in original mono spread across the front two channels. The audio here is classic Hollywood with a luscious Johnny Mandel score that works fantastically against the off-kilter undercurrent of the film. Dialogue is clear and, despite being nearly forty years old, is in great shape.

Features

Now this is the first disc that I`ve seen that includes a deleted scene that remains deleted. The `deleted scene` obviously hit the cutting room floor and stayed there though we do get the script for it as well as the Director in conversation with film historian Robert Fischer describing it, as well as where it would have sat within the movie. Then you can go directly to that point in order to imagine how it might have fitted. If that`s not anorak territory then I don`t know what is. That said - I enjoyed the diversion which may not reflect well on me!

We also get a photo-gallery comprising those enticing stills that would have graced cinema lobbies as well as original press booklets of the day.

There`s also a nice audio-commentary where the very modest and quietly spoken Noel Black answers prompts from film historian Robert Fischer. What was particularly fascinating is that many `tributes` to this movie can be found in David Lynch`s - even to the point of Lynch himself playing the part of a deaf detective in Twin Peaks, just like the one who arrives to interview Pitts following the first murder.

Conclusion

I didn`t know much about this film until I saw it here for the first time, though was vaguely aware of it being name-checked by David Lynch amongst others who loved it`s sinister reflection of small town America.

Anthony Perkins, perhaps a little typecast here as a mentally unstable young man, is nonetheless superb and his relationship with the under-rated Tuesday Weld (too pretty perhaps to be taken seriously) is sheer dynamite.

The movie is offered up in pristine condition with a host of lovingly gathered extras that will delight the anoraks amongst you.

If you`re looking for a really compelling, thought provoking film that is well made, well-scripted and perfectly played then I can recommend no better movie.