This has to be one of the most overrated films in cinema history. As a Polanski fan, I’ve been meaning to watch Knife in the Water for quite some time. I went in with very high expectations, due in no small part to the amount of praise I’ve seen heaped on it over the years. It’s not that it’s bad- it’s pretty decent, especially when one considers it was his first full-length feature. I guess I just expected more from the man who brought us Rosemary’s Baby and Chinatown.

A middle aged man and his sexy young wife are en route to a weekend sailing excursion when they encounter a hitchhiker, who they decide (for not entirely altruistic reasons) to invite along for the trip. The two men spend the remainder of the film engaged in a pissing contest, both for alpha male status and for the affections of the woman- a competition in which, ultimately, the only clear winner is the woman herself. Knife bears many hallmarks of a classic Polanski film (cramped quarters, psychological drama, black humor, Hitchcock style suspense) but in a raw, unrefined way- he’s still toying with the formula; still learning the ropes. While both male actors put in decent performances, Jolanta Umecka’s portrayal of the object of desire falls flat- one can only assume she’s here because she doesn’t mind undressing for the camera. The cinematography is remarkable- interesting shots abound, particularly those filmed from atop the boat’s mast. An upbeat free jazz score is also noteworthy, and creates an interesting contrast with the increasingly strained situation on the boat. The film does have a lot going for it, and it’s flaws aren’t fatal- it just isn’t as taut as Polanski’s subsequent work. The story isn’t as tightly crafted, the jokes aren’t quite as funny, the tension isn’t nearly as thick. That extra “oomph” is missing. Though Polanski would later (and more successfully) explore similar territory in 1966’s Cul-de-sac, Knife is a solid effort. The fact that it was his first feature film should stand as testament to his immense talent as both a director and writer.

That being said… it’s still overrated.