One of the criticisms aimed at this film by many viewers was that the two main characters lacked passion and that their sexual liaison's failed to be convincing but I was one of those that felt the desperation exuding from them after their initial meeting. Story is about Stephen Fleming (Jeremy Irons) who's a member of British Parliament and seems to have the perfect life but he meets the girlfriend of his son Martyn (Rupert Graves) and starts a torrid affair with her.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** Anna Barton (Juliette Binoche) is considered damaged goods even by her own account but she and Stephen get together as much as possible for some rough sexual encounters. They continue their affair even though Martyn announces his engagement and Anna's mother Elizabeth (Leslie Caron) quickly figures out what's going on between them and advises Stephen to break it off now. While Stephen's wife Ingrid (Miranda Richardson) has no idea what her husband is up to it takes the accidental death of Martyn who walks in on them for everyone to understand what has been going on.
This is directed by the great Louis Malle who in other films such as "Pretty Baby" and "Murmur of the Heart" has tackled the subject of forbidden relationships and he seems to be greatly interested in the behavior of the characters in each of these efforts. One of the key points to whether this story works is the believability of the sexual attraction that Irons and Binoche are supposed to have for one another and many have stated on that part just not working for them. I, for one, thought it did work (for the most part) and while Binoche doesn't really have one strong scene that stands out it's her background story about the death of her brother that makes her interesting enough that Irons puts his whole life on the line to be with her. This is regarded as sexually explicit but I have to admit that I found it somewhat tame in regards to the amount of nudity (I guess my standards are completely different than others) and the film is more about possession and gratifying a psychological need than actually wanting sex from one another. This isn't a completely satisfying film (especially the ending) but it's one that dares it's audience to view it and accept it on it's morally indifferent grounds.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** Anna Barton (Juliette Binoche) is considered damaged goods even by her own account but she and Stephen get together as much as possible for some rough sexual encounters. They continue their affair even though Martyn announces his engagement and Anna's mother Elizabeth (Leslie Caron) quickly figures out what's going on between them and advises Stephen to break it off now. While Stephen's wife Ingrid (Miranda Richardson) has no idea what her husband is up to it takes the accidental death of Martyn who walks in on them for everyone to understand what has been going on.
This is directed by the great Louis Malle who in other films such as "Pretty Baby" and "Murmur of the Heart" has tackled the subject of forbidden relationships and he seems to be greatly interested in the behavior of the characters in each of these efforts. One of the key points to whether this story works is the believability of the sexual attraction that Irons and Binoche are supposed to have for one another and many have stated on that part just not working for them. I, for one, thought it did work (for the most part) and while Binoche doesn't really have one strong scene that stands out it's her background story about the death of her brother that makes her interesting enough that Irons puts his whole life on the line to be with her. This is regarded as sexually explicit but I have to admit that I found it somewhat tame in regards to the amount of nudity (I guess my standards are completely different than others) and the film is more about possession and gratifying a psychological need than actually wanting sex from one another. This isn't a completely satisfying film (especially the ending) but it's one that dares it's audience to view it and accept it on it's morally indifferent grounds.