Play Misty For Me

Clint Eastwood, USA 1971, 102 minutes

Clint Eastwood proved he wasn't just good at acting with this enthralling directorial debut. Set in his adopted home town of Carmel (where he used to be Mayor), Eastwood not only directs, but also stars in a suspense thriller about a truly psychotic woman (Jessica Walter).

Walter phones up DJ Eastwood's late-night radio show (think Jack Killian, Midnight Caller) repeatedly, assking for the same record to be played each night. She soon admits she is infatuated with him and eventually they meet. Unfortunately, when Eastwood attempts to break their relationship, her eccentricities become more and more dangerous and he becomes entrapped in her deadly embrace.

Jessica Walter plays her part assuredly, managing to switch from being alluring to being menacing at the change of a tune. Eastwood himself more or less cruises on autopilot through his acting duties on the film, although his direction is good enough to sustain the tense, nervy storyline and successfully builds up an atmosphere of suspense and anticiaption of the next event. All in all, it makes you think twice about being a radio DJ.

"A highly enjoyable thriller" - Time Out

Review by Neil Chue Hong
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97