I have read 'Delta of Venus' by Anais Nin several times throughout my life. It is a collection of short stories, written at a time when she was being paid by an anonymous benefactor to write erotica. If you've watched the film, a bell just rang in your mind.
For those reviewers that seem to hate this film... First of all, you are crazy. Second, this is a very difficult book to adapt on film, and King does a great job of creating a coherent plot from many disconnected short stories with no common theme. Seriously, placed in the hands of the wrong writing and directing team, this film could have been a big mess. 'Delta of Venus' (1995) is a masterful adaptation, choosing the right stories to include, as well as excluding stories that would detract from the film. Some of the stories in the book are just too hardcore for a theatrical release. Thankfully, those stories were either modified or completely ignored to make a better film. I suspect that 100% of the negative IMDB reviews of this film are written by viewers that have never read the book, have no frame of reference for the material, and are uncomfortable with a large dose of sex in their art.
The entire cast was great, from Audie England to Mr. Echo from 'Lost' (2004), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. The sex was artful and erotic. There is a pulsating undertone of sexuality throughout the entire film. The shots of Paris are amazing and the city is written like a character, taking an active role in the plot development (much like Woody Allen uses cities as central elements to his stories).
A nonsexual aspect that I particularly appreciate is Elena's reluctance to leave Paris, despite the impending war. Throughout the film, we witness this intimate group of young people from all over the world, thrown together in the artistic culture of 1940's Paris. The city binds them together and they encourage each other's artistic expression. Elena knows that this is just a moment in time. At some point she realizes that, when they evacuate Paris, it will mark the end of these relationships. Never again will they all be together in this way, as these versions of themselves. So, despite the increasing chaos and danger, some of them choose to stay - as if to embrace the chaos and make the party last just a little bit longer... That's very real. It's sad that some people watch this film and totally miss this piece of great storytelling and acting.
If you are comfortable with your sexuality and in the mood for something sexy, you will enjoy this film. If you have enjoyed the work of Anais Nin, you will enjoy this film. If you are trying to create a heavy and sexy vibe among a group of like-minded people, you will enjoy this film. However, this film was rated NC-17 at one time; If that scares you, just choose to watch something else. Trashing this film in an IMDB review at 3am may feel therapeutic, but you will still be a prude when you wake up in the morning.
RealReview Posting Scoring Criteria: Acting: 1/1;
Casting: 1/1;
Directing: 1/1;
Story: 1/1;
Writing/Screenplay: 1/1;
Total Base Score = 5
Modifiers (+ or -): Cinematography: +1 (This is the best shot soft-core film of all time.);
Authentic Location Shooting: +1 (Paris, France);
Gratuitous Female Nudity: 0 (If you've read Anais Nin, you know that there really isn't anything gratuitous about the artful and intentional nudity in this film.);
Exceptionally Sexy: +1 (It is exceptional.);
Total RealReview Rating: 8
For those reviewers that seem to hate this film... First of all, you are crazy. Second, this is a very difficult book to adapt on film, and King does a great job of creating a coherent plot from many disconnected short stories with no common theme. Seriously, placed in the hands of the wrong writing and directing team, this film could have been a big mess. 'Delta of Venus' (1995) is a masterful adaptation, choosing the right stories to include, as well as excluding stories that would detract from the film. Some of the stories in the book are just too hardcore for a theatrical release. Thankfully, those stories were either modified or completely ignored to make a better film. I suspect that 100% of the negative IMDB reviews of this film are written by viewers that have never read the book, have no frame of reference for the material, and are uncomfortable with a large dose of sex in their art.
The entire cast was great, from Audie England to Mr. Echo from 'Lost' (2004), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. The sex was artful and erotic. There is a pulsating undertone of sexuality throughout the entire film. The shots of Paris are amazing and the city is written like a character, taking an active role in the plot development (much like Woody Allen uses cities as central elements to his stories).
A nonsexual aspect that I particularly appreciate is Elena's reluctance to leave Paris, despite the impending war. Throughout the film, we witness this intimate group of young people from all over the world, thrown together in the artistic culture of 1940's Paris. The city binds them together and they encourage each other's artistic expression. Elena knows that this is just a moment in time. At some point she realizes that, when they evacuate Paris, it will mark the end of these relationships. Never again will they all be together in this way, as these versions of themselves. So, despite the increasing chaos and danger, some of them choose to stay - as if to embrace the chaos and make the party last just a little bit longer... That's very real. It's sad that some people watch this film and totally miss this piece of great storytelling and acting.
If you are comfortable with your sexuality and in the mood for something sexy, you will enjoy this film. If you have enjoyed the work of Anais Nin, you will enjoy this film. If you are trying to create a heavy and sexy vibe among a group of like-minded people, you will enjoy this film. However, this film was rated NC-17 at one time; If that scares you, just choose to watch something else. Trashing this film in an IMDB review at 3am may feel therapeutic, but you will still be a prude when you wake up in the morning.
RealReview Posting Scoring Criteria: Acting: 1/1;
Casting: 1/1;
Directing: 1/1;
Story: 1/1;
Writing/Screenplay: 1/1;
Total Base Score = 5
Modifiers (+ or -): Cinematography: +1 (This is the best shot soft-core film of all time.);
Authentic Location Shooting: +1 (Paris, France);
Gratuitous Female Nudity: 0 (If you've read Anais Nin, you know that there really isn't anything gratuitous about the artful and intentional nudity in this film.);
Exceptionally Sexy: +1 (It is exceptional.);
Total RealReview Rating: 8