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Puzzles are an engrossing and usually rewarding activity for some. But it's one where you have to always ensure that you have all the pieces with you. Not doing so will probably make the task impossible, frustrating, and maybe even infuriating. Director Robert Altman takes that premise into the life of a young woman in this little-heard mind-bender.
Images follows Cathryn (Susannah York), a children's author that starts receiving a series of mysterious calls that hint at the potential infidelity of her husband Hugh (René Auberjonois). But when she starts being haunted by unsettling visions, Hugh deduces that she might be suffering from too much stress and decides to spend some time on a remote country cottage. Unfortunately, Cathryn's visions and hallucinations grow worse, which includes alternating appearances from two former lovers, as well as visions from her own doppelganger around the house.
There's not much that can be said about Images without spoiling some of its mystery, and yet, there's so much that can be said without even beginning to understand it either. Borrowing a bit from Bergman's Persona, Altman seems to revel in the mind-games he throws at the audience as this couple tries to make ends meet. And if there's something that can be said without a doubt is that York is great in the lead role.
As for the mystery, it's a puzzle indeed. One that Altman doesn't give us all the pieces for, just like he doesn't give them to Cathryn, or any other character. It's the kind of film that you sense has a purpose and motive for everything that's on screen, but that I'm sure everybody might perceive in a different way. The main theme that seems to hang above the characters is that of guilt and duality, but there also seems to be hints of abuse, repression, and depression.
Regardless of how many pieces of the puzzle are missing, Images ended up being a surprisingly good watch. One that is both engrossing and yes, frustrating, but in a good way.
Grade:
IMAGES
(1972, Altman)
A film from Robert Altman
(1972, Altman)
A film from Robert Altman
"I'm not going to be able to finish this puzzle. There's too many pieces missing."
Puzzles are an engrossing and usually rewarding activity for some. But it's one where you have to always ensure that you have all the pieces with you. Not doing so will probably make the task impossible, frustrating, and maybe even infuriating. Director Robert Altman takes that premise into the life of a young woman in this little-heard mind-bender.
Images follows Cathryn (Susannah York), a children's author that starts receiving a series of mysterious calls that hint at the potential infidelity of her husband Hugh (René Auberjonois). But when she starts being haunted by unsettling visions, Hugh deduces that she might be suffering from too much stress and decides to spend some time on a remote country cottage. Unfortunately, Cathryn's visions and hallucinations grow worse, which includes alternating appearances from two former lovers, as well as visions from her own doppelganger around the house.
There's not much that can be said about Images without spoiling some of its mystery, and yet, there's so much that can be said without even beginning to understand it either. Borrowing a bit from Bergman's Persona, Altman seems to revel in the mind-games he throws at the audience as this couple tries to make ends meet. And if there's something that can be said without a doubt is that York is great in the lead role.
As for the mystery, it's a puzzle indeed. One that Altman doesn't give us all the pieces for, just like he doesn't give them to Cathryn, or any other character. It's the kind of film that you sense has a purpose and motive for everything that's on screen, but that I'm sure everybody might perceive in a different way. The main theme that seems to hang above the characters is that of guilt and duality, but there also seems to be hints of abuse, repression, and depression.
Regardless of how many pieces of the puzzle are missing, Images ended up being a surprisingly good watch. One that is both engrossing and yes, frustrating, but in a good way.
Grade: