BOOK SMART: Roman Polanski undressed by Christopher Sandford

POLANSKI: A Biography
by Christopher Sandford
Palgrave Macmillan

Mark Twain calculated: “The trouble ain’t that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain’t distributed right.” Of course, the wag hadn’t factored in those individuals who are crazy enough to assume the role of lightning rods, willingly. Roman Polanski and his biographer Christopher Sandford are two such folks who dare earth-bound strikes of, potentially fatal, static charge. Polanski survived World War II then went on a cinematic rampage. His early films — most notably REPULSION, KNIFE IN THE WATER and A TASTE FOR WOMEN — reflect a carnal kink, a vague sexist agenda — that provoked critics and would later seal his fate in the court of public opinion. Despite his talent and his tragedy — wife Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson gang in ’69 — Polanski’s conviction for the statutory rape of a 13-year old branded him (rightfully?) as an out-of-control hedonist with as little respect for others as for the Law. Mr. Sandford creates a compelling portrait of a thrill-seeker who may be accountable for his actions, but may have also been a product of his times and his equally lascivious movie-making mates. The author relies on previously unreleased courtroom documents and the testimony of colleagues to frame Polanski. However, Sandford’s previous bios do raise concerns about the accuracy of his research. Can the man who infamously smeared Kurt Cobain and partially defamed others such as Mick Jagger, David Bowie and Steve McQueen be trusted to offer an honest appraisal of CHINATOWN’s auteur? Really, does it matter? POLANSKI plays in print like ROSEMARY’S BABY on screen, an edge-of-your bed page-turner with a devilish outcome. Beware, readers, when in Rome, do not do as Roman did. After all, lightning can strike twice.

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