Rosemary's Baby (1968)

"At first I thought they wanted me for some kind of sex thing, but they've turned out to be like real grandparents!"

It had been ages since I'd seen Roman Polanski's beloved nursery picture Rosemary's Baby. The middle child to his apartment series triplets - alongside Repulsion and The Tenant (both exceptional for a drugless trip) - Rosemary's Baby is easily Polanski's most known work (outside of the richly deserving Chinatown of course). Whether it's popular for being a masterful horror film or a campy exploitation pic on the perils of misjudging the elderly I can't rightly say, but given this is our show we're certainly willing to give it a try! (We recommend you open this link in a new tab and listen along while reading, Krzysztof Komeda's score is tre creepy!)

Ro (Farrow) and Guy (Cassavetes) in happier times

Based on the 1967 novel by Ira Levin, Rosemary's Baby tells the story of Rosemary Woodhouse (a sublime Mia Farrow) and her husband, the somewhat successful actor Guy (award winning director John Cassavetes). The cooing couple move into a new Manhattan apartment and almost immediately meet the loud but thoughtful Castevets, Minnie and Roman (played deliciously by Oscar winner Ruth Gordon and Sidney Blackmer). Though harmless at first, the Castevets quickly worm their way into the Woodhouse's daily lives, eventually playing a dominating role in Rosemary's pregnancy, not only by providing vitamins, insisting she see their doctor (Ralph Bellamy), and mixing daily supplement shakes, but also in summoning "Satan from the depths of Hell" to instigate the whole darn thing!

Alright, I know, it's unfair to be so glib. The film really is successful, particularly in its playful and frightening observation of society's descent into madness. But with some forty years distance it can be tricky to disengage the more dated elements (like hand puppet Satan) from the relevant ones (the timeless self serving that hand puppet Satan represents). However dear reader, I highly encourage you try, for this film is important not only in Polanksi's canon, but for late 60's cinema and the horror genre in general. Despite the occasional chuckle worthy bits, Rosemary's Baby is really quite chilling, particularly how it prods us to examine this human propensity towards accessing and excusing evil, be in with a spouse, neighbors, progeny, or the capacity within our own hearts of accepting or even welcoming "Satan" into our lives.

Satan, such a tiger in the stolen sack . . .

Be honest with me, is it strange that I find the actual rape less unsettling than Guy's agreeing to it? Is playing den mother to Satan's baby really worse than having your uterus sold to the devil for a part on Broadway? I suppose if I were a more religious person, or rather a better Satanist, I'd acknowledge that the big S is responsible for betrayal in the world, but since I'm just so darn secular I can't help but know that the most despicable characters are the earthly ones. Murder, greed, desire, how delightfully human! Of course, this makes perfect sense in keeping with the other two films; Repulsion and The Tenant both possess an eerie supernatural undercurrent, much less blatant that their sibling, but all three meditate deeply on the very human conditions of psychosis and delusion.

The one and only Ruth Gordon (as nosy, devil worshiping Minnie)

For those still uncertain, know that Polanski is an exceptional storyteller and terrific architect of suspense. Plus you've got to hand it to him, I can't think of another film where the titular character has a conversation with the Pope while the devil's furry paw covers her swaying upper body. How perfectly titillating!

The devil's bedroom eyes, I always pictured them a bit more Jude Law blue myself . . .

If you consider yourself a horror or suspense fan and haven't seen Rosemary's Baby we'd say it's imperative you amend that fact soon. For those who tend to shy from those genres, as an apprehensive horrorpense watcher myself I still recommend you see this film. Despite his . . . hmmm . . . what's the best phrase . . . dramatized entanglements, Polanski is easily one of the most daring, imaginative, and underrated directors of the last century. Judge this film not against criteria it simply could not foresee, but against any gut reaction you have to its content. And if you find it truly upsetting, redeem your evening and love of Mia with the best unicorn chaser imaginable.

It should be noted that the worst husband award actually goes to Frank Sinatra, who served Farrow divorce papers on the set, in front of all the cast and crew, because she refused to give up her career and become Mrs. Frank Sinatra. Millie is disgusted by my saying so, but come on Frank, dick move.

Millie's Bees to Knees Meter (1 bee = blah, 10 bees = hoo-rah!): 8.5

Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Released: 1968
Distributor: Paramount Pictures