Negatives (1968) User Reviews

Underdeveloped, Overexposed `Negatives'

[genekim · 12 July 1999]

Strange doesn't begin to describe this film, which features three of the coldest, most unpleasant movie characters I've seen in some time - which wouldn't necessarily be bad in itself, if only the characters were more interesting. None commands our sympathy; not the passive/aggressive Theo, nor the contemptuous Vivien, nor the enigmatic Reingard. Basically, "Negatives" is the story of a selfish, ineffectual man who exchanges one pathetic fantasy role for another. "Peanuts" fans will recall how Snoopy, imagining himself to be a World War I flying ace, sat atop his doghouse, pretending it was a Sopwith Camel; Theo's embrace of Baron von Richthofen reaches an even more ludicrous height (both figuratively and literally). Director Peter Medak's deliberate pacing makes you feel as though there is some Great Meaning invested in this movie. My question is: What on earth is it?

Film is Fascinating and Powerful Statement

[info-627-664439 · 9/10 · 6 February 2015]

"Negatives" (1968) with a screenplay by Peter Everett and Roger Lowry based on Everett's novel deserves some kind of backup as reviewers so far have missed its intrinsic quality of imagination in the aspect of role playing, that the movie is about on the surface. The characters do have negative aspects but I was definitely drawn into caring about them. Peter McEnery is, as always, quite excellent as Theo, who is ensnared into a role-playing sexual involvement with an transient played by the great Glenda Jackson. Yes, Jackson knows how to "chew the scenery" but she is really outside the real core of the story as, like many of Jackson's performances, comes across as a shrew. The ever-beautiful Diane Cilento does come between them because Theo needs the vitality she brings to his life and liberates him, not merely by a sexual conquest, but by enabling him to break free of role playing that frustrated him and kept him unhappy. We are all actors and the film mines the potential of this fact exceptionally. The director, Peter Medak makes the most ostentatious debut here. He later directed the acclaimed "The Ruling Class" which I have yet to see, but here he creates by using so brilliantly the art direction and props, music, etc. with so much style and, perhaps, what "Negatives" is about, the searing power to imprint on the emulsion of life, the expanse available to us by our imaginations. I saw the official Continental/Walter Reade VHS which wasrather murky transfer from prints by Movielab, which are faded. But why people give the film a bad rap claiming they do not understand something that is rightly left as limitless is beyond me. I feel I had to defend this film for the power to fascinate it always has for me.

memorable moments of piano music...

[dizozza · 9/10 · 17 June 2009]

I have little to add to Eugene Kim's comments which accurately express my opinion, too. In the 1970's, this odd film ran on late night television and stood apart from most everything else. Peter Medak's director credit for The Ruling Class preceded him so I was very patient with this film. The momentary use of piano music was an immeasurably extreme highlight. I felt very friendly toward the unique Glenda Jackson who was intensely committed to her acting, her director and her cast-members. For all its, what, its stupidity? ... For all that, the film achieves a believable sense of intimacy sealed from the world, hence the sense of suffocation. This film is capable of leaving a lasting impression because of the committed cast and those few moments of piano music.