A meditation on sexual obsession… “Bad Timing” is nothing short of brilliant. This overlooked masterpiece from director Nicolas Roeg is a fascinating study of raw sexual obsession and megalomania. This matches the classic “Last Tango in Paris” in erotic content, and Theresa Russell gives a risky, no-holds-barred performance that will stay with the viewer long after the film is over.
Amid the decaying elegance of cold-war Vienna, psychoanalyst Dr. Alex Linden (Art Garfunkel) becomes mired in an erotically charged affair with the elusive Milena Flaherty (Theresa Russell). When their all-consuming passion takes a life-threatening turn, Inspector Netusil (Harvey Keitel) is assigned to piece together the sordid details. Acclaimed for its innovative editing, raw performances, and stirring musical score, Bad Timing is a masterful, deeply disturbing foray into the dark world of sexual obsession.