Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession is a 1980 British psychological thriller film directed by Nicolas Roeg. The film features a star-studded cast, including Art Garfunkel, Theresa Russell, Harvey Keitel, and Denholm Elliott. The movie tells the story of a complex and dark love affair between a man and a woman, exploring the themes of obsession, desire, and manipulation.
The film starts with Alex Linden (played by Art Garfunkel), a psychoanalyst, arriving at a hospital emergency room. His current girlfriend, Milena (played by Theresa Russell), has overdosed on pills and appears to be on the verge of death. As the doctors are trying to save her, Alex begins to reflect on their troubled and tumultuous relationship, which forms the basis of the film's non-linear storyline.
The audience is taken back and forth in time as the film weaves in and out of flashbacks, showing how Alex and Milena's relationship developed and how it eventually spiraled out of control. From the very beginning, we see that Milena is a complex and enigmatic character, constantly playing games with Alex and manipulating him to fulfill her own desires. We see how Alex is unable to resist her and how he becomes increasingly obsessed with her, as their relationship becomes more and more unstable.
As the story develops, we are introduced to some of the other characters in the film, including a detective named Netusil (played by Harvey Keitel), who is investigating the incident that led Milena to the hospital. Netusil becomes determined to uncover the truth about what really happened and is convinced that Alex played a role in Milena's overdose.
Throughout the film, we see how Alex is torn between his love for Milena and his own self-preservation, as he struggles to keep his emotions and desires in check. He is constantly trying to analyze Milena's behavior, trying to figure out what makes her tick and why she behaves the way she does.
As the story reaches its climactic point, we begin to see just how far Alex and Milena will go to satisfy their own desires and how much damage they are willing to inflict on each other. The film is not afraid to tackle some of the darker aspects of human nature and is a thought-provoking exploration of desire and obsession.
Overall, Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession is a fascinating and complex film that is definitely not for everyone. Its fragmented storyline and nonlinear structure may make it difficult for some viewers to follow, but for those who are willing to invest the time and effort to really delve into the characters and themes, it is a rewarding and thought-provoking experience. While it may not be Nicolas Roeg's best-known work, it is certainly one of the most interesting and challenging films of his career.
Bad Timing a Sensual Obsession is a 1980 mystery with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes.
