The Comfort of Strangers - Based on McEwan's Novel

 THE COMFORT of STRANGERS 1990

by

Paul SCHRADER

Ian McEwan's 1981 novel was very dark, but beautifully written, as all his novels are. Through his writing, McEwan had tried to juxtapose the beauty of Venice against the dark underbelly of the city. The film captures this unease, and leaves you claustrophobic. The cast is damn good - Chris Walken, Natasha Richardson, Rupert Evrett and Helen Mirren are all spot on. But the beauty of the film lies in its cinematography.