Bad Timing [1980]

Nicolas Roeg’s Bad Timing happens to be one of the most deeply disturbing movies that one can hope to come across, and that, along with its explicit and controversial content, I feel are the strongest reasons for near anonymity of an otherwise extremely ambitious and well made movie. Set in Vienna, this is a haunting psycho-analytical tale that explores the darkest corners of the characters’ minds. The fractured non-linear narrative adds to the severe detachment, alienation and claustrophobia that the viewers share with its lead players. The shocking denouement at the end of the emotionally draining journey through jealousy, obsessions, graphic sexual situations, paranoia, and dark explorations of the human psyche, severely adds to the trauma and suddenly the detachment flies though the window. Art Gurfunkel as an obsessed psychiatrist and Harvey Keitel as an equally obsessed police investigator have provided measured performances; while the female lead, as a deeply troubled, emotionally fragile girl-woman in desperate need of love and affection without any constraints or commitment, is almost brilliant in her spontaneous and passionate histrionics.





Director: Nicholas Roeg
Genre: Drama/Psychological Drama/Erotic Thriller/Mystery
Language: English
Country: UK