Ted & Venus [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

The first time I viewed this movie, frankly I was sickened. It is not a pretty picture. There is not one person protrayed that I would actually like to meet. However it haunted me, I couldn't forget it. I tried to tell myself it was silly, dated, couldn't decide if it was a comedy or just a mix of whatever. I ended up watching it again, and the second veiwing was very different. I found that I saw a definate "courage" in the acting and directing of Bud Cort. This is a man that is not afraid to put himself out there, in the worse possible light i.e. a mentally unstable stalker. There is one scene where he is running away from the court ordered mental hospital, running down a hill, if you look closely, you will see the attention to detail that Bud Cort used. Ted's fly is open. There is scene after scene of this detail and attention to charater in this film. I began to look differently at all the people protrayed, since this was a true story and set in the time period that the film was made. Some people are not pretty, and are unstable, but have depth and talent, while others are pretty and shallow, or self-centered, or angry, or stoned and living by whole different set of rules. The poetry and language are skocking even by todays standards, and powerful. The whole movie shows the contradictions in people,and in life. And while Ted is clearly wrong..he was clearly wronged also. And his "Venus", bless her clueless little heart was in all honesty more fearful of the passion, and repulision of that same passion that Ted brought out in her than she was ever fearful of Ted personally. Bud Cort doesn't let either of his stars off easily in this film,(He plays Ted) they both are flawed, and in major denial, Ted's flaws are just not socially exceptable. The final scene is heart wrenching, and horrible to watch. The whole of the film is a vision in horror. Bud Cort makes his points here beautifully with one of the ugliest movies I have ever seen. I would personally watch anything with Bud Corts name on it now. I have ended up watching Ted and Venus several times, and each time I find something new. not for everyone!

Don't be fooled by the ridiculous artwork on the cover of this video: This is a wonderful, totally underrated movie. As a dark comedy, it challenges perceptions and takes you on a journey, evoking feelings of amusement, disgust, pity, care and overall ambiguity.

Within his obsession for Linda, Ted creates funny moments, and there are many moments where you will start to like him. And then he says one wrong "dirty" word and the whole nature of the conversation changes. Ted is obviously mentally ill and dangerous, but thanks to Bud Cort's acting talent, he also comes across as someone who is loveable in a quirky kind of way: Quite a radical and challenging thought. The same ambiguity applies to Linda, who is clearly a victim here, but can also be careless when she plays with feelings.

I love this film because it pulls you in and doesn't let you go, constantly floating between laughs and compassion on one side and abhorrence and resentment on the other. You have to see it more than once though, I agree. And if you see it even more often you start to notice all the hidden connections to Bud Cort's previous films such as 'Brewster McCloud' as well as 'Harold and Maude', which, interestingly enough, initially was considered equally `creepy' and therefore disliked by many.

Was not sure wht to expect when I ordered this film. Harold and Maude was a classic. This film was well done. Interesting, with excellent performances by all.