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DramaRomance

Death Is a Caress

User Score19 votes
59%5.9/10
Release1949
Runtime1H 29M
LanguageNorwegian
StatusReleased

Synopsis

An engaged mechanic begins a tempestuous affair with a rich married woman.

Principal Cast8

Full Cast & Crew (40)

Media2

Backdrops

Death Is a Caress backdrop 1
Death Is a Caress backdrop 2

Director

Edith Carlmar

Edith Carlmar

Director →

Keywords

femme fatalefilm noirmurderwoman director

Where to Watch

Stream

Criterion ChannelCriterion Channel

External Links

Reviews1

CinemaSerf6/10

Claus Wiese is the handsome young "Erik", happily chugging along with girlfriend "Marit" (Eva Bergh) until the wealthy "Sonja" (Bjørd Riiser-Larsen) stops by his garage to have her car engine fixed. A few days later, he is offered a chauffeuring job and it turns out that it is her and her husband who are having a weekend together before he heads off on a business trip to the USA. You can guess what happens once he has gone, but is it just an one night stand or might it develop into something more? The film follows the ebbs and flows of their, frankly, torrid relationship. Drink fulled temper tantrums, acute jealousy and her inconsistent behaviour tests this otherwise mild-mannered younger man severely. Sadly, though, this film all just came across to me as too contrived. Initially they do fancy one and other, that's fine - but as their toxic friendship evolves, it becomes quite tough to watch because their love/hate/love relationship just isn't plausible. The ending is telegraphed by the retrospective narrative of the story (told by "Erik" talking to a police officer from the top of the film). For 1949, the dialogue and one or two of the scenes are maybe a bit risqué, but I wouldn't say this is one of Edith Calmar's finest works. It is notable for what it represents in terms of the development of cinema, and the fact that it has a woman director, but I can't say much more than that.

Apr 4, 2022

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Countries:Norway
Production:Carlmar Film