Director Roman Polanski made his feature debut with this simple relationship drama. The film begins with a shot of a couple driving in a car – their faces in shadow until the end of the credits when the light comes up. The husband Andrzej (Leon Niemczyk) seems to be a bit older than his beautiful wife Krystyna (Jolanta Umecka). They come upon a young man (Zygmunt Malanowicz) hitchhiking in the middle of the road and pick him up.
The three end up going on a boating trip together. In a very subtle way the film is a love triangle and a tale about two men engaged in a mental arm-wrestling match. Andrzej uses his wealth and age to lord over the nameless young man, but the 19-year-old in turn uses his youth and edginess to threaten the older man in different ways.
The editing of the wonderful black and white photography is like a slow build to a dramatic climax. Polanski skillfully creates an erotic mystery around Krystyna with minimal dialogue and subtle hairstyle and clothing changes that make the woman more attractive as the film goes by.
The young man’s switchblade and Andrzej’s story about the seaman stepping on glass say so much about the male ego themes that the film is dealing with. However, ironically, Krystyna’s view on machismo is much different than her husband’s. It’s simply fascinating how simple the story is until you think more about it and the layers begin to become clearer. Engaging, smart, stylish and poetic – the film is an amazing calling card for a master filmmaker.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
