A powerful and married British politician (Jeremy Irons) falls wildly in lust with his son's new girlfriend (Juliette Binoche) in a mostly well made film directed by the great Louis Malle. Malle's direction is very claustrophobic, even more so than his early ELEVATOR TO THE GALLOWS. Irons, whose film career really hasn't panned out since his Oscar win, is stellar and Binoche outdoes both Sharon Stone and Glenn Close in the femme-fatale department. She's carnal evil in the flesh! As Irons' wife, Miranda Richardson, in one scene of absolute rage, is brilliant. It's a scene and performance reminiscent of Beatrice Straight's dejected wife scene in Sidney Lumet's NETWORK.
Although it is indeed potent film-making by Louis Malle, DAMAGE is also notable for its insanely overwrought sex scenes between Irons and Binoche. A real blunder on Malle's part. They resemble Solid Gold Dancers gyrating and stretching presumably to express utter ecstasy. Rupert Graves plays Iron's doomed son.
Although it is indeed potent film-making by Louis Malle, DAMAGE is also notable for its insanely overwrought sex scenes between Irons and Binoche. A real blunder on Malle's part. They resemble Solid Gold Dancers gyrating and stretching presumably to express utter ecstasy. Rupert Graves plays Iron's doomed son.