mptnla, it's not really that far-fetched. Andrjez saw an opportunity to exert his dominance over the Hiker, so he invited him on the boat simply to patronise him and subdue his cocky arrogance. Because the Hiker is so cocky and arrogant, he allows himself to be brought along so he can be as dour and sarcastic as possible. Both of them get more than they bargained for.
As for the ending...
(SPOILER FOLLOWS)
It's brilliant. Andrzej has to either concede that he murdered the Hiker, or concede that he did not kill him, but his wife was unfaithful to him with the Hiker (which is what happened). For a normal person, the second option is clearly more palatable, but Andrzej has taken pride in flaunting his younger, attractive wife for the entire film, and it's not such an easy decision for him. We don't see what decision he makes, which strengthens the ending, in my opinion. What a tangled web Polanski weaved.
Last film I saw:
Reign Over Me * *
reply
share