JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonBunny Lake is Missing (1965) - Trailer Included
November 16th 2009 00:00
A Motif of Madness
Bunny Lake is Missing DVD-Available in the U.S
Director: Otto Preminger
Writers: John & Penelope Mortimer,
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Noel Coward, Carol Lynley, Keir Dullea
Bunny Lake is Missing is an unusual title for a very curious film. Coming near the end of Otto Preminger’s illustrious career there is a vitality to his creative manipulations that along with John Frankenheimer's Seconds predate the arthouse surrealism of David Lynch and other contemporaries.
Based on the mystery novel by Evelyn Piper, this is an ethereal atmosphere soaked and unnerving excursion into degrading sanity.
Laurence Olivier questions Carol Lynley
The problem is that upon arrival she soon discovers Bunny is nowhere to be found. There is no record of her existence. The school records reveal nothing and soon the police led by Superintendent Newhouse (Laurence Olivier) are called in on the suspected missing person.
Is Bunny lake missing? Is she just a figment of Ann’s imagination? John Doe is not revealing anything!
Welcome to the Dollhouse Ann
John Doe says:
Right from the unforgettable Saul Bass opening credits (up there with his best) you know you are in for something that has taken care and consideration to create. Visually compelling and speckled with wry humor the film does dissolve with a leap of logic finale but that does not make what preceded contain any less cinematic brilliance.
There are elements of the Jodie Foster film Flightplan here, but it is Otto Preminger’s (Anatomy of a Murder, Advise and Consent, Laura) dedication to sustained suspense that refuses to yield the riddles “answer” until the final moments. The composition in certain shots is breathtaking in their subconscious menace, there is something daringly Hitchcockian to much of the films style. The musical score effectively illicits tension with subdued haunting tones and then restrained screeches of madness.
The script adaptation by John and Penelope Miller does not remain faithful to its source but instead uses it as a template to raise some very risqué concepts for the year 1965. There is a raw, matter of factness to many of the smaller revelations that unfold throughout the story and the characters are all given a subtext that is embraced by the cast.
As Ann, Carol Lynley (The Poseidon Adventure, The Night Stalker) plays on tragic fragility mixed with idyllic strength to draw us into her very personal crisis.
Laurence Olivier (Marathon Man, Slueth) makes holding the screen appear simple as the understanding detective handed a big question mark.
Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey, The Fox) plays Ann’s brother Steven with authority that convinces he is her rock, a safety net to all that might harm her.
Noel Coward kidnaps the screen
Martita Hunt (Great Expectations, The Unsinkable Molly Brown) is also memorable as the eccentric Mrs Ford.
John Doe only recently discovered this occasionally flawed but intriguing work of a master. There was an acute awareness of the films daring against convention attitude and almost experimental delivery. For those interested in the evolution of modern cinema this is an essential stepping stone that warrants cross examination.
NB* Joe Carnahan (Narc, Smokin Aces) is scheduled to release a remake in 2012.
Here is the original trailer for Bunny lake Is Missing care of TCM
Watch the first 10 minutes of Bunny Lake is Missing including the superb opening Credits with deliberate postbox framing.
| 79 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The Zombies are a band that was meant to be huge and this was a film that gave them exposure. They are a little Animalsesque (As in Eric Burdon &
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
How under discussed is Frankenheimer's Seconds?
Bunny Lake is a little uneven and looses its way, but such an intriguing watch with certain scenes perfectly honed. Sure you will get something out of it...are you an Otto Preminger fan??
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Anatomy of a Murder is the only Preminger film I know well, although I caught Porgy and Bess many years ago. He's a filmmaker I need to polish up on, no doubt.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
My love for Candidate is very strong but Seconds is no less credible as Frankenheimer's masterwork.
Yes you do need to explore the work of Preminger. At his best he tackles important issues with cinematic flair and illicits superb performances from all his cast.
A good starting point is:
Laura (His masterwork IMO)
Advise and Consent
The Man with the Golden Arm
Angel Face
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight