Dominique

Dominique is a psychological thriller released in 1979, directed by the French filmmaker Michael Anderson. The movie stars Cliff Robertson, Jean Simmons, Jenny Agutter, and Simon Ward in leading roles. It revolves around the story of a wealthy businessman, David Ballard, and his wife Dominique, who was killed in a tragic accident. Following her death, David is haunted by her ghost, and he is driven to madness as he tries to solve the mystery of her death.

The movie opens with the tragic death of Dominique Ballard. She is killed in a horse-riding accident, which leaves her husband David (Cliff Robertson) devastated. He is consumed by guilt, as he had been having an affair and had not been there for her during her final moments. He becomes obsessed with her death, and her memory haunts him relentlessly. However, something strange begins to happen - David starts to see Dominique's ghostly image wherever he goes. He repeatedly hears her voice, and he can't seem to shake the feeling that she is still with him.

David's colleagues begin to notice that he is becoming increasingly erratic and unstable. They worry that he is losing his grip on reality, and they take steps to remove him from his position of power. David, however, is convinced that someone is trying to drive him insane, and that someone is behind Dominique's death. He becomes increasingly paranoid and desperate to uncover the truth.

Against this backdrop, the movie introduces several other characters, all of whom have their own reasons for wanting David to either regain his sanity or fall into complete madness. Chief among them is Ann Ballard (Jean Simmons), Dominique's mother, who is trying to protect her son-in-law from himself. She hires a nurse, Veronique (Jenny Agutter), who she hopes will help David overcome his grief and regain his sanity. Veronique, however, has her own reasons for wanting David to stay unstable, and she begins to manipulate him in sinister ways.

As the movie progresses, David becomes increasingly convinced that Dominique is trying to communicate with him from the grave. He starts to piece together a web of lies and deceit that leads him to confront his own darkest secrets. The tension builds to a shocking climax, as David finally comes face to face with the truth about his wife's death.

One of the movie's most notable features is its atmospheric visual style. The filmmakers use a series of haunting images and eerie sound effects to create a sense of foreboding and unease. The movie's pacing is slow and deliberate, building to a slow burn that keeps the audience on edge throughout.

The performances in Dominique are also noteworthy, particularly those of Robertson and Simmons. Robertson brings a convincing sense of anguish and desperation to the role of David, while Simmons is equally compelling as the concerned mother-in-law. Their scenes together are some of the movie's most emotionally charged.

Overall, Dominique is a gripping psychological thriller that delivers a deeply unsettling experience. It explores themes of grief, guilt, and sanity, and uses a haunting visual style to create a sense of dread throughout. The movie is a classic example of the psychological thriller genre, and it remains a must-see for fans of the genre today.