Du wirst noch an mich denken (1978)

Du wirst noch an mich denken: Directed by Alan Rudolph. With Geraldine Chaplin, Anthony Perkins, Moses Gunn, Berry Berenson. Just released from prison, a young woman arrives in town to “start a new life

“Frequently the maker of intriguing films (The Moderns, Equinox, Trouble In Mind) and protégé of the great Robert Altman (who produces here), writer-director Alan Rudolphu0026#39;s 1978 film also fits this mould. Here, we have showcased a stunning central performance by Geraldine Chaplin (the actress also a regular Altman collaborator) as the enigmatic, volatile Emily, seemingly returning from we know not where (prison?) and set on disrupting the life of Anthony Perkinsu0026#39; construction worker, Neil Curry, and his wife Berry Berensonu0026#39;s Barbara. Rudolph sets up his film as an effective mystery/thriller – albeit in his customary offbeat style – keeping us guessing as to the stalking Emilyu0026#39;s intents, motives and history, creating a mood and unsettling presence, at times reminiscent of something like Michael Hanekeu0026#39;s Hidden. The personal malaise obviously being suffered by Emily is also broadened out to encompass feelings of greater societal paranoia (post-Vietnam and Watergate?), alluded to via the filmu0026#39;s running TV commentary, referencing (of all things) a Budapest earthquake.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRudolphu0026#39;s cast is consistently impressive, Perkins attempting to maintain calm in the face of Emilyu0026#39;s increasingly prominent and disruptive presence, Berenson convincing as the wife asking the increasingly urgent questions, whilst Moses Gunn is probably the most sympathetic character here with his well-meaning landlord to Emily, Pike, who has genuine concern for Emilyu0026#39;s state of mind. It is this state of mind on which Rudolph focuses our attention, with Chaplin quite superb, whether flirting romantically to Alan Autryu0026#39;s fellow worker, Rusty, creeping silently deadpan and undetected around the Curry household, or exacting (sometimes violent) retribution against (a young, lanky) Jeff Goldblumu0026#39;s store manager, Mr Nudd, or Alfre Woodwardu0026#39;s shop worker, Rita. As is often the case with Rudolph Iu0026#39;ve found, the payoff may not fully justify the impressive, here slow, scene setting and build-up. This rather proves (again) to be the case with Remember My Name – the journey is worth catching, nevertheless.”