Grief is a terrible slipstream in this theatrical, experimental psychodrama from maverick social filmmaker Joseph Losey, which concerns a mentally regressed orphan (Mia Farrow) who ensnares a mourning woman (Elizabeth Taylor) into a mind-warping role-play as daughter and mother. Is this impersonation, therapy, or hypnosis? Whatever it is, it’s a strange encounter, as insane as its characters – and they are stark raving mad! It remains creepy (much credit to Robert Mitchum as an absurdist child predator and con artist), but above all uncanny, wholeheartedly tragic and symbolic, full of mental costume changes that push and push towards the climactic, hallucinogenic performance of the Secret Ceremony.
“Joseph Losey’s best film in years.” – Renata Adler, The New York Times
