Cat People (1982)

I’ve been re-watching some of Paul Schrader’s older films since I watched his Criterion Collection version of Mishma: A Life in Four Chapters. The most recent was Cat People, which I knew I saw, but couldn’t remember well. And sure enough, once I started watching I remembered most of it, but what is most striking to me is that even if Schrader’s making an erotic thriller remake he still approaches it as if it were an art film. I think he does an exceptional job using the locations in New Orleans to give it a European feel to the film as well as casting Malcolm McDowell and Natasha Kinski in the lead roles. I forgot that it also had a great supporting cast: John Heard, Annette O’Toole, Ed Begley Jr., and John Larroquette. I also forgot that David Bowie sang the theme song, “Cat People (Putting Out  Fire)” from the Let’s Dance album in 1981.