Film Review:Death Watch (15) (France/West Germany/U.K. 1980) (Director: Bertrand Tavernier), Saturday 02.06.2012, 13:20Filmhouse Screen Two, Edinburgh.  

This film intrigued me due to it featuring a performance from Harvey Keitel and being filmed in Glasgow. Particularly as it is a Glasgow before I ever saw it, the first time I went there was 1988. Further little curious facts like it containing an early performance from Robbie Coltrane and it being an early critique of the notion of 'Reality Television' further contributed to my reasoning for going to view this.

It appeared to be made on a small budget, which is no bad thing, though to examine the ideas it was presenting, it felt to constrained.

(PLOT SPOILER)

There are elements that felt to be engaging, though the piece as a whole felt muddled.
The central person who is meant to be getting filmed for this reality television programme, is meant to be of interest as they are stated as being terminally ill.
It is revealed before the end that this was a ploy to effect their behaviour for the purposes of filming.
This could have left interesting moral questions about manipulation for the purpose of entertainment. I felt the strength or clarity of presentation of such questions was muddied by Harvey Keitel's character, who at the start of the film has had a camera fitted in his head for ease of filming without suspicion, goes blind due to having been exposed to darkness for moments too long.

I was left feeling quite unsure as to what was being attempted to be said, though was fairly sure that there was some question or situation intended to be presented for contemplation.  

It was an interesting watch, though I felt it was not particularly enjoyable & I would feel it to be hard to recommend.

Rating: 04/10.