All that said, the movie actually works in an odd way: the zombie theme isn't much harder to buy than the intense chemistry between these two. They make such a strange pair that one can easily believe they might carry on even with one of them half in the grave. Even before Hugh's death, the Harlequin/zombie theme plays out in the awkward love-making scenes, precursors of the necrophilia to come?
Ultimately, as in all the best back-from-the-grave stories, we learn that "sometimes dead is better." Anna begins to regret her pleas for Hugh to return to her. He is no fun to drink with and starts to smell. But if there is such a thing as a touching zombie film, this is it. The creeping horror as our unfortunate heroine realizes the love of her life really is dead and putrefying before her (though he still wants to cuddle) is surprisingly real. But she's made a pact and struggles with her sanity as she figures out how to cope with it. Though it's easy to poke fun at some of the film's low production values and odd performances,Neither the Sea nor the Sand is worth a watch - a little '70s gothic time capsule with some genuinely chilly moments.
For more information about Neither the Sea Nor the Sand, visit Image Entertainment.
by Emily Soares
