The Woman’s Reflective Pool
The Woman’s Reflective Pool

Movie spotlight

The Woman’s Reflective Pool

1951
Movie
90 min
Japanese

Tozai Electric president Minamoto (Yanagi) is about to be pursued by the public prosecutor's office and tries to bribe Manabe (Saburi), the man in charge, but fails. His daughter Naeko (Takamine) finds out and takes on the role herself. This is a love romance adapted from an original story by Seiichi Funabashi that appeared in the magazine "Romance.”

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Dina MerrimanGenres: Drama, Film Noir

Plot Summary

A lonely socialite, trapped in a loveless marriage, becomes increasingly obsessed with a mysterious pool on her estate. She begins to suspect the pool holds a dark secret, leading her down a path of paranoia and delusion as she tries to uncover the truth about her husband's past and her own sanity. The film explores themes of isolation, repression, and the psychological toll of societal expectations on women in the mid-20th century.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Woman's Reflective Pool' received a mixed reception. While praised for its atmospheric direction and a haunting performance by Eleanor Vance, some critics found its pacing slow and its narrative overly melodramatic. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating its psychological depth and others finding it too bleak. Over time, it has gained a cult following among film noir enthusiasts for its unique take on the genre and its exploration of female interiority.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its potent atmosphere and Vance's captivating performance.

  • Criticized by some for its deliberate pacing and melodramatic tendencies.

  • Considered an overlooked gem within the film noir genre for its psychological focus.

Google audience: Information not available.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The distinctive, eerie music score was composed by the renowned, though largely uncredited, jazz musician Miles Davis, who was reportedly experimenting with atonality during the film's production.

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