“The Attic” (1980): What Makes Louise so Odd? I watched “The Attic” as a late night offering on TV back in the 80s. It was one of the strangest movies I had ever seen and one that enters your mind and refuses to leave. With two fantastic actors playing off each other, it is definitely among the most underappreciated films.
Thapson
Synopsis
Louise at Work
Two ordinary librarians working in a library in a relatively quiet city. In this case, Wichita – located almost at the center of the US. What could be more normal and humdrum than that? But the elder one, Louise Elmore, has bandages on her wrists. Apparently, some kind of accident, but it’s pretty obvious. Louise’s retirement is coming up and she’ll be replaced by the younger Emily Perkins.
Whatever she does, or says, has a sense of anger with Louise. While past her youth, she’s still relatively young, and attractive. One gets the feeling all is not well with her. Even her cordiality is laced with the acerbic, which her colleagues seem to tolerate. Who knows, this passive aggressive behavior may be the reason for her upcoming retirement? Sad, melancholy, angry, even scary on some levels – that’s Louise.
Louise at Home
We follow Louise home. Ah yes, this is where it all comes together. The only person who could be grumpier lives at home. Wendell Elmore, her father. Wheelchair bound, he’s as bitter as they come. Nothing she does is good enough. He accuses her of all the bad traits he’s loaded with himself. She exists for him to absorb all the anger he’s mustered up and lashes out. If it weren’t for his handicap, you want to climb into the movie and shake him up yourself.
Until we meet him, it appears Louise has some mental issues. Or maybe she’s inherited them from Wendell. For him, she has no life other than serving his every need, promptly, with no appreciation in return.
Oh Louise, we feel for you, and understand when you dream of all the harm you want to befall on Wendell.
Louise and Her Friends
To be frank, Louise doesn’t have any friends. She does have a lot of people who would prefer avoiding her. Which is sad, because regardless of her problems, Louise has a yearning to socialize, and man in her life. In fact, through flashbacks, we realize there was a man she was set to marry, who left her at the alter. Hence her frustration.
She still fulfills her desires, by defying Wendell, and going to the movies. Against her fathers wishes, she also goes out and spends time with Emily, later visiting her home too. The visit with Emily’s mother reminds us things are not perfect in any household. The visit strengthens Louise’s bond with Emily. Louise urges Emily to follow her heart and avoid becoming like herself.
As a token of friendship, Emily buys Louise a baby chimp, Dickie – a pivotal factor to the movie.
Louise faces the Awful Truth
The arrival of Dickie into the household, leads the movie to its shocking conclusion. Not surprisingly, Wendell hates Dickie, and affects its disappearance.
For Louise, it’s the final straw, and she “goes to war” with her overbearing father. It is during a fit of anger, she discovers the awful lie she’s been living her adult life. One discovery leads to another, and a cataclysmic end to the film.
What shocking truths does Louise learn? You would need to watch the film to figure that one out for yourself.
Main Cast
Carrie Snodgress / Louise Elmore
I can’t say enough about the late Carrie’s performance in The Attic. Such brilliant portrayal of subtle rage, while coping with the cards stacked against her is what makes this movie worth watching. In real life too, fate affected her career in that we missed out on more from her.
Ray Milland / Wendell Elmore
Ray Milland has a knack for playing domineering, passive aggressive personalities. Despite what many say, he’s perfectly suited for the role of Wendell Elmore in the movie.
Ruth Cox / Emily Perkins
While Ruth Cox’s, role is not extensive, it is definitely influential in helping us better understand Louise Elmore’s personality. Even when she prefers to be cautiously distant from Louise, she is also open to taking advice from her colleague.
My Take
The Attic is not everyone’s cup of tea. Most viewers will find it boring, depressing, and technically amateurish. It is all that, but it has some elements that make it memorable for me.
Snodgress and Milland Shine
It has two wonderful stars in Cathy Snodgress, and Ray Milland. Some consider it a travesty to see Milland in such a small production. But I say that would be wrong, as it is Ray Milland’s brilliance that gives the movie it’s sheen. He creates a wonderfully hateful character in Wendell as only he can. With that slightly British accent, he pulls off that boorish attitude very well indeed. Then there’s Carrie Snodgress. It appears Ray Milland’s irrascible personality brings out the best from Carrie. Her off-kilter performance, as she manages to win our sympathy at her plight, is what The Attic is all about.
The rest of the cast aren’t too bad either, especially Dickie. I wonder whatever happened to him in real life?
Location and Story
While it could have worked anywhere, shooting the movie in Wichita, was interesting. The city has the right laid back sort of feel for this film. The story seems to highlight the kind of domestic abuse that may be occurring right now somewhere on your street. If one sees any warning signs, it’s a good idea to lend a helping hand. Being trapped in such a situation is completely unacceptable.
Which is why I feel the movie should not be brushed off as a cheap thriller. The story is so stark, it never leaves your mind – whether you like it or not. It definitely stayed in my mind ever since I first saw it decades ago. The Attic may not be commercially available, but is a rare gem as far as I’m concerned.
Needless to say, the subject matter, and some scenes make it unsuitable for minors.
Some Negatives
I found the soundtrack was overbearing at times. If it was trying to depress us, it definitely succeeded. It needn’t have tried, as the movie was downbeat enough as it is.
Another major flaw for me was the ease with which the chimpanzee was available at the pet store. An endangered species, along with the danger of keeping one did not fly with me, even though it was 1980.
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