DeeDee

Last night I watched The Night Porter, and I really should watch it
over again because there were so many moments that really struck me
with a wallop. First of all I must say Dirk and everyone did an
amazing job of acting. There was a line in which one of the characters
-I forget which one- said to Max, "You've always been insane."
Insanity has its degrees perhaps?

The relationship between Max and Lucia was a bit insane I think, but I
also think in their own way they were tied to each other because of
their history. Love? Well, it's all relative. Clearly there was an
attachment, but if the definition of love is a total committment to
the wellbeing of another person, then I'm not sure if their attachment
was love, even if they said it was. More to ponder, and Cavani clearly
wants us to ponder this film.

One scene that really gave me a clue into the psyche of Max was at the
end of Lucia's dance. The expression of anticipation and delight when
he offered her the box with her tormentor's head. He was literally
bursting with enthusiasm, possibly thinking that she would be swept
away by his deed?

And the ending -how ironic that they should both end up prisoners,
and how sad. But there was never going to be a live happily ever after
ending to this film. And, what ever happened to Lucia's husband?????
Why didn't he come after her?

I took this film for what it was. So many negative reviews! I happened
to like it very much. I was watching Dirk very carefully, and he is so
subtle, controlled, and yet so expressive. Better that I found his
films now than never!

DeeDee