Damage

Rating:
Summary: Evocative and memorable
Review: Damage is the story of a man who becomes obsessed with his son's fiancee. This is one of those books that has stayed with me. I felt the doom and obsession and tragedy and sexuality rise from the pages. Anyone who has felt obsessive love or infatuation will probably relate to this story. Also, I think anyone enjoying this book might want to read The Loves of Harry Dancer. The feeling is similar.

Rating:
Summary: Another interesting tale of obsession
Review: Initially when this movie came out critics and audiences were both divided by this movie. 50% liked it, the other 50% did not and for one reason which Entertainement Weekly pointed out: some people did not buy the obsession that Jeremy Irons character had for Juliette Binoche's character. So in order to enjoy this movie you have to disregard the fact whether this is realistic or not. In my opinion this is not something that does not happen in real life. There are many people who are obsessed over other people. And in the past people have accepted other tales of obsession (VERTIGO, OBSESSION) so i don't see why they can't accept this one. The movie which is directed by french director Louis Malle is about a middle aged man (Jeremy Irons- DEAD RINGERS, 1988, LOLITA,1997) who carries on a secret affair with his son's mysterious fiancee Anna (Juliette Binoche- CHOCOLAT,2000, THE WIDOW OF ST. PIERRE, 2001). Their relationship has nothing to do with love. It's merely an outlet for both of them to unleash their fellings and sexual desires. The sex scenes are fairly erotic and tastefully done but they also give you a chance to see what is going on inside these two poeple since they express themselves through sex. It's a predictable story but it's still interesting to see how bad things are going to end up. The movie is above all a story of obsession and how it drives people to do things they never thought they would do. It's easy to figure out why Jeremy Irons' character is carrying on this affair but you have to pay close attention to find out why Juliette Binoche's character does too and for some it may be hard to swallow. Both the leads handle their roles very well and the movie is directed very well and more subtle than one would think and the script is good enough. But the standout is Miranda Richardson as the wife of Jeremy Irons, a role for which she was nomintated for the academy award for best supporting actress though i think she deserved the nomination more for THE CRYING GAME. The script should have been a little better but considering how bad people claim the book is i commend the makers of this movie for making it better.

Rating:
Summary: So Good
Review: This book is deceptively simple. It's the kind of book you belive is so easy that even you could write it. Trust me, you can't. In fact, Hart couldn't even do it a second time, though she keeps trying. What I find most amazing about the book is that Hart writes the entire thing from a man's point of view, and she got it right. Everytime I read the thing, I get all excited and have to start over again. It is so good.

Rating:
Summary: So Good
Review: This book is deceptively simple. It's the kind of book you belive is so easy that even you could write it. Trust me, you can't. In fact, Hart couldn't even do it a sceond time, though she keeps trying. What I find most amazing about the book is that Hart writes the entire thing from a man's point of view, and she got it right. Everytime I read the thing, I get all excited and have to start over again. It is so good.

Rating:
Summary: emotional carnage
Review: This is a powerful book. Simple in structure, beautiful in language it is a story of obsession, betrayal and losing control. Almost everyone loses control in this book- the MP who finally finds passion and meaning in his life in the unattainable and the immoral, the main 'damaged' protagonist who is like a queen bee with multiple yet not infinite stingers- one day her actions will eventually catch up with her; and the wife who's emotional urgency and subsequent realisation is depicted both powerfully and evocatively by Baker. One may find it difficult to comprehend the MP's descent into the depths of taboo and obession but this lack of control often exists in lesser doses in many relationships where it is sometimes only the passion of a secret that helps one through the remainder of a mundane existance.

Rating:
Summary: The Devil will find work for idle hands.
Review: A role tailor made for Jeremy Irons,perfectly cast as a Politician,who,in order to escape his mundane existence,will embark on an affair.An affair in which he becomes totally obsessed and transformed by an ultimate desire,knowing that he could lose all for his passion.Other great performances by Juliette Binoche,as the Politician's lover,and Miranda Richardson,as his beloved,tormented wife.One of the best of it's kind.The transfer of this film to DVD is an excellent one,the picture is framed (matted) at 1.85:1,is virtually flawless,as is the sound quality,perfectly represents the theme of this film,subtle,timed,clear.Overall 4/5.

Rating:
Summary: Very Spare, But Mesmerizing Novel
Review: In truth, I am more fascinated by the tenor of the reviews on this page than I am by the novel itself. It seems either you "get" this novel or you don't. I can honestly say that I got it, but I didn't love it. I didn't hate it either. I found the novel to be interesting, although wholly predictable in every way, even in its depiction of so-called taboo emotions, morality and insights into human nature. Who else but a privileged, white man from England is unaware of the reality of passion and the way your life can take twists and turns that are unexpected, but could lead to rebirth? Admittedly, I am not a big fan of the cold, English protagonist (I just lose patience with their obvious emotional and social constipation. This flaw referring to bad, English protagonists and not Brits in general). I think that the people who love the book are afraid to admit that the book is so melodramatic that it borders on being silly. Still, at the same time that the book is melodramatic, it is also oddly insightful and touching. This tension made the book hard to put down. Finally, comparing this book to Tartt's "Secret History" is unfair because that book is a far superior work. Tartt has a better command of language and a keener ability for insights into human nature. Still Hart does a pretty good job.

Rating:
Summary: SPARE AND EFFECTIVE TALE OF FORBIDDEN PASSION...
Review: I loved this slim novel of sexual obsession, but beyond obsession, 'Damage' is also the story of a man's reawakening to life; even if that reawakening destroys him and the lives of his family. I saw the Louis Malle film adaptation before I read the novel and thought that it was absurd, but when I picked up the novel, I was stunned by the sheer erotic charge of it. I'm extremely impressed that the author is a woman, and that she seems so tuned into this middle-aged man's belated passion (and his desperate need for it.) This is a fine novel that is beautifully written without an ounce of literary fat.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best erotic thrillers yet
Review: The location setting,actors and story are all excellent and come together to make a great film. Juliette is red hot and gorgeous as always. What I found to be the most intense moments were the animal attraction like gazes between the two from the beginning.Highly recommended plus a tragic twist at the end.

Rating:
Summary: not my favorite obsession film
Review: I got this film having adored Jeremy Irons' extraordinary performances in "Dead Ringers" and "M. Butterfly." I have also found much in Louis Malle's work to be very compelling.. However, this seemingly surefire movie about a man's obsession with his son's fiancee fell unfortunately short of my expectations. In my opinion, the only thing that held this film together was Irons' credibility as a sexually obsessed man (hence his perfect cast as Humbert Humbert in Adrian Lyne's "Lolita") and the sex scenes, which actually felt authentic and erotically charged. There really was no plot, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the characters' desire for one another struck me as unfounded and at times ridiculous. That said, there were some interesting incestuous subplots and Juliette Binoche was good as the beautiful and mysterious fiancee.