The Comfort of Strangers

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R T @Sally683 Jan 15 I want my 2 hours back. The only reason I watched this was because of the talent attached to it. And the only reason I'm writing this review is to redeem myself for the two hours I just spent watching this. This is the first film I've ever watched where I regret it investing the time to watch it. I want to kick myself in the behind because several times I wanted to turn it off but I was hoping for a big finish and what I got was disappointment. I've never felt this vehemently upset with myself for watching the entire thing. Everyone can on romanticise it as much as they want to, and I know it's Pinter but all you keep asking yourself during this film is why and not why for the right reasons? See more Es-Jay J @RT11724953 04/25/2025 This is a truly toxic film. Yes, it will draw you in but it will also sicken your soul in the process. Even Christopher Walken is on record as saying he couldn't wait for the shoot to be over. The film seems to be in love with its own slick darkness and violent perversity. It hopes to fool you into thinking that its relentless, gratuitous psychological indulgence is actually some form of human insight. But there are no emotional revelations, just a parade of slick surfaces and carefully choreographed cruelty. I am a big Harold Pinter fan; and I have been watching films for seven decades, but this is one of the very few that made me feel as though I had shamed myself for watching it. See more Jo B @RT96596332 02/14/2025 I think I got what the "strangers" who befriend the young couple wanted, something they themselves were happy to take out of the world to fit their twisted needs. I chose to make this "worth a watch" because it was to me. But I agree that it doesn't succeed despite so much great talent and the ever visual interest of Venice. I don't know how much of the failure here is from the source material (the book had equally mixed reviews) or the direction -- the failure here is really in a great build up (3.5) that was not given the proper climax (loss of 1.5). See more S.J. K @MisterStavros 01/18/2025 The top ten reasons to watch this film: 1. The lush, seductive score by Angelo Badalamenti. 2. The script by Harold Pinter, based on the book by Ian McEwan. 3. Director Paul Schrader, who's never afraid to go too far and offend audiences. 4. The always hypnotic Helen Mirren, here as mysterious and sexy as ever. 5. The maddeningly inscrutable Christopher Walken. 6. A heartbreaking performance by the late and luminous Natasha Richardson. 7. A surprisingly naive and innocent Rupert Everett. 8. Lots of naked eye candy, both male and female. 9. Gorgeous sets, with many lovely shots of Venice, complemented by Giorgio Armani clothes. 10. A riveting plot twist you won’t see coming. Most viewers will scratch their heads, asking "What is happening? Where is this going?" Which is exactly why this film is so compelling. But by the time you finally understand what’s happening, it's too late. There's no backing out. You've just lost your virginity. See more Alec B @Alec97 02/21/2024 Walken is perfectly cast here but I mostly liked watching this for the odd melding of McEwan's source material, Pinter's screenplay adaptation, and Schrader's direction. See more Raymond A @RT15938280 09/18/2022 Been awhile since seeing it, but recall finding its different kinda intrigue unusual, unsettling. Fine cast where Walken plays his part with humor and intimidation. His reference to his father is both funny and scary. Anyway, cool to visit Venice for awhile. See more Read all reviews

The Comfort of Strangers

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