Knife in the water (1962)

Knife in the water:

Fascinating, malicious look at what happens when people from two decidedly different walks of life cross path - one a married, arrogant and successful sportswriter, the other a young, cocky middle class youth. They meet when the older man and his wife give the young person (a hitchiker) a lift while driving to their beachside yatch. These are the only three actors in the entire film, there are no extras, no people in the background, nothing. The nameless young man is asked to accompany them on their little cruise (so that the older man can teach him a lesson in life by displaying his wordly sophistication and expert abilities, of which he has plenty).

The rest of the film continues from here amid increasing friction between the men as they attempt to please the only woman amongst them. Seething with Polanski’s trademark style of creating a victim and a manipulative female catalyst. The screenplay (co-written by the director) simmers with carefully controlled suspense till it erupts during the last act, expertly relying on the masochism of both men to create confusion amongst all three protagonists. Rightly referred to as a psychological ménage à trois about the incompatibility of class differences. Features expertly manipulated moments of pent up sexual tension, some of the best ever put to screen. Title refers to a knife carried by the young man, the only thing he can use with perfection, which metaphorically becomes a threat to his older, more showy host. Polanski’s first film, considered by many critics to be the second best directorial debut ever (after the prestigious ’Citizen Kane’ and one that shows greatness from the very beginning.

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