Mamma Mia

Full Circle (Richard Loncraine, 1977)

Big mistake watching director Richard Loncraine's introdcuction to his semi-obscure British-Canadian co-produced chiller Full Cirlcle (1977) AKA The Haunting of Julia. Loncraine describing it as "almost a good film", somewhat put a damp squib over my expectations; especially after having shelled out a fair bit on the lavish looking BFI 4K release of it. Fortunately, Full Circle turned out to be a wonderful missing link between the classic horror films Don't Look Now (1973) and The Changeling (1980). Not quite on the same level as them, but an excellent film, regardless.

Full Circle begins with a cautionary and fatal example of always chewing your food, as Katie, daughter of wealthy American living in London, Julia Lofting, played by ginger pixie Mia Farrow, literally chokes it at the breakfast table while eating an apple. Ridden with guilt after performing an unsuccessful emergency tracheostomy on her daughter, Julia sinks to suicidal depression and becomes estranged from her money grubbing husband, Magnus, played by Keir Dullea.

After being discharged from hospital, Julia attempts to rebuild her life by moving in to a new apartment, far from Magnus's watchful eye. Shaggy haired, antiques dealer Mark, played by Tom Conti, is her rock of support as she slowly tries to pick up the pieces while Magnus continously harasses her. It's just rotten luck that she just also happens to be experiencing supernatural goings at the same time. Going on into any further detail would totally spoil the mystery of the film, so I'll leave it there.

Despite Loncraine's personal assessment of Full Circle, the film totally charmed me. Its slowburn pacing and rich atmosphere worked perfectly for its premise. This was a captivating viewing experience. As a horror afficionado, familar with certain tropes and cliches, being unable to second guess certain plot outcomes made the film a fresh experience. Farrow's performance as the guilt-ridden, grieving mother is superb. The supporting cast are also effectively good; particularly Conti. I also liked Anna Wing, better known for playing Lou Beale off EastEnders, as the dotty spritualist Mrs. Flood. Small, minor details like the contrast between Julia's well-off lifestyle and Mrs. Flood's impoverished dwelling really highlighted seperate worlds; just as much the ones conveyed for both the living and the astral plane.

Worth noting that Colin Towns's soundtrack is suitably eerie and chilling. Particularly fond of how he layers a melancholic piano melody with an eerie modern synthesizer riff; complimenting Julia's fragile mental state and the supernatural elements. Town's music is a strong reason why the film's haunting atmosphere is such a success.

Mark this up as another film which has me regretting not seeing when I was a child. Full Circle would have scared me out of my wits back then. A truly rewarding discovery, and definitely amongst my favourite watched so far this year.