Lillian and Geoffrey, a seemingly-loving couple, have just rented a house in the Catskill Mountains. Intent on having a baby, Lillian wants to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City, with the idyllic countryside providing an ample setting for rest and relaxation. Unfortunately for Lillian, her husband continues to wrapped up in his work -very secretive scientific analysis that Geoffrey believes will make them rich and famous. Neglected by her husband, Lillian meets a charming ecological advocate, and the two begin have an affair. Meanwhile, it becomes clear that Geoffrey's hidden experiments are pushing the boundary of scientific ethics, creating dangerous and unethical experiments in the name of science. Larry Fessenden's No Telling is a case study in low-budget horror, with the filmmaker creating an atmospheric thriller/horror film through the use of well-designed direction, cinematography, and sound design. No Telling is a film that I would recommend to any young, aspiring filmmaker, as Fessenden uses well-designed camera movements and shot-compositions to create a brooding experience with a very small budget, creating a great sense of impending dread that slowly and methodically progresses towards its conclusion. No Telling is a film that works on multiple levels, being an allegory about the importance of honesty in relationships as well as a biting morality tale of man's desire to manipulate and tamper with nature. Geoffrey and Lillian are two characters who keep a lot of secrets from one and other, and as No Telling progresses it becomes clear that these secrets are slowly destroying their relationship, as Geoffrey's inability to share anything about his work, or show any interest towards Lillian's needs, slowly pushes his wife into the arms of another man. Fessenden's use of juxtaposition really stands out in documenting these two character's deteriorating relationship, contrasting Geoffrey's scientific tampering with Lillian's appreciation of nature through her drawings and paintings. With Geoffrey's work being centered around manipulating animal body parts, No Telling feels like an homage to Frankenstein at times, though Fessenden's film doesn't solely focus on man's manipulation of nature but also the corruptible quality of capitalism and business, which look primarily at profits in the short term with little regard to the long term impact i.e. sustainability of such practices. While those expecting a fast-paced, violent horror film are bound to be disappointed with No Telling, Larry Fessenden has created an impressive low-budget thriller thats creeping sense of dread keeps it engaging from start to finish.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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