Bitter Moon

Mit dem gleichnamigen Roman von Pascal Bruckner bin ich noch nicht in Berührung gekommen, aber er verdient sicherlich den Vergleich mit einem Film wie Bitter Moon. Denn die Abgründe und Ecken pathologischer Liebesbeziehungen sind immer eine Herausforderung zur Verarbeitung und den Dialog mit dem Leser oder Betrachter. Erst jetzt wird mir bewusst, wie vielfältig Polanskis Werk ist, und manchmal, in ruhigeren Zeiten, kehre ich zufrieden zu ihm zurück. Es ist ewig schade, dass sein Name eher eine Ursache denn ein Synonym für sein Werk ist. Der einzige Fehler, den ich hier sehe, ist übrigens die Besetzung von Hugh Grant und Kristin Scott Thomas, die damals schon zu große Stars waren, um nur Nebenrollen zu spielen. Der Rahmen dieser Silvesternacht, die dicht gedrängte Umgebung des Schiffes und die Darstellung der ganzen verheerenden Romanze als Geständnis an ein neues Opfer sind allesamt gut. Und als Bindeglied zwischen der alten und der neuen Welt funktioniert der glossierende Inder ideal, was eine sehr kluge Entscheidung ist. (08.06.2017)

In Roman Polanski's filmography, it is a relatively unknown piece, at least compared to Dance of the Vampires or Rosemary's Baby. However, it is one of his best films - personally, I rank it in third place after The Pianist and Death and the Maiden. It is a fateful psychological drama of a couple torn apart by sexual passion, jealousy, and mutual dependence, which escalates into hatred. Good performances by the actors and a screenplay that managed to describe the pathology of a love relationship without delving into unnecessary vulgarity. Overall impression: 85%. (14.06.2006)

I’d always had Polanski as a competent filmmaker, but so far none of his films had managed to captivate me. Between him, as a creator, and me, as a viewer, I’d always felt some sort of barrier that wouldn’t let me tune into the same vibes. Until now. Bitter Moon finally did it. I really dove into this study about an unhealthy relationship during a sea cruise, and I enjoyed it. The experience was both pleasant and unpleasant at the same time. (25.09.2014)

Roman Polanski is able to brilliantly capture the human psyche, human desire, and even human lust. The story, narrated here by the protagonists themselves and which ultimately unfolds and crescendos, is incredibly sexy but in a destructive way, leaving you with a lingering feeling that you want to escape. The characters may not succeed. Well-chosen actors! (09.10.2016)

From the very first shot it is devilishly sophisticated and deceiving, and a grandiose depiction of the pure dehumanization of a relationship between two people. All this against the depressing backdrop of a ship or the darkened streets of Paris – your typical neo-noir Polanski of the late eighties/early nineties. It's fascinating how emotionally complex this fresco is and yet it flows with the ease and agility of a racy erotic thriller. One of the director's best films, which you come to like gradually, over time, through a tough skin. (18.11.2016)