Watch The Fox

The Fox is a psychological drama film that was released in 1967, directed by Mark Rydell and starring Keir Dullea, Sandy Dennis, and Anne Heywood. The film is based on a novella by D.H. Lawrence, and tells the story of two women, Jill and Ellen, who live on a farm in rural Canada. Jill and Ellen are close friends who share a house together. The film begins with the arrival of a handsome young man named Paul, who is fixing a nearby road. Both women are immediately drawn to him, but it soon becomes clear that Jill is more interested in him than Ellen is.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that all three characters have complex and troubled pasts. Ellen is haunted by the memory of her dead husband, while Jill is struggling with her own identity and the expectations placed upon her by society. Meanwhile, Paul is dealing with his own demons, which are slowly revealed over the course of the film.

The Fox is a slow-burn of a film, with much of the tension coming from the characters' unspoken desires and hidden motivations. The relationship between Jill and Ellen is particularly fascinating, as it veers between intimacy and jealousy. Although the film is set in the 1920s, many of the themes it explores are still relevant today, particularly those related to gender roles and sexual identity.

The cinematography is also a standout feature of the film, with the Canadian landscape serving as a hauntingly beautiful backdrop to the characters' turmoil. Director Mark Rydell makes excellent use of natural light and shadow, particularly in the scenes shot inside the house.

The performances in The Fox are uniformly strong, with Keir Dullea imbuing Paul with a subtle sense of danger and Anne Heywood delivering a nuanced portrayal of a woman struggling to find her place in the world. The standout performance, however, is Sandy Dennis as Ellen. Dennis was a gifted actress known for her ability to convey complex emotions with a minimum of fuss, and she brings that same sensitivity to her role here. Her scenes with Heywood are particularly compelling, as they convey a complex mix of attraction, resentment, and affection.

Overall, The Fox is a beautifully crafted film that explores complex themes with sensitivity and nuance. Although it is slow-paced, it rewards careful attention with a richly layered story that is both haunting and thought-provoking. Fans of psychological drama and character-driven cinema will find much to appreciate here.