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.
Rating: 
Summary: Over the top
Review: I have to agree with one of the reviewers here that "Damage" does indeed feature some of the most ridiculous sex scenes I've seen on celluloid. Jeremy Irons basically thinks that banging his face against Juliette Binoche's and slobbering all over her constitutes great passion. It's comical and I found it hard to take the rest of the movie seriously due to the awful sex. And that big picture at the end--you're right--why the heck did he have that blown up and put across his whole wall? I just had to laugh. Having said all that, Juliette Binoche and Miranda Richardson do turn in wonderful performances (as always). I am a big fan of Juliette Binoche so she can't do much wrong with me (except let Jeremy Irons slobber all over her--I hope she never makes that mistake again). I would say avoid this film, because it's so serious about itself that it comes out comical and over the top.
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: Some People Do Not Understand
Review: I must say that I read this book when I was 15 years old. I appreciated the depth of it then, and I do feel bad for those that do not grasp what the author is getting at. One person called it 'plain', but she is telling a plain story and making the emotions and and circumstaces real to you. And to David: I have also read The Secret History by Donna Tart. I enjoyed it and found that it parallels with Damage. I found myself thinking that Josephine Hart and Donna Tart must be the same person. I can't imagine that you would see the amazingness in one and not the other. Now 17, I am very grateful that I was able to see the depth of both of these novels.
Rating: 
Summary: How could it go any other way?
Review: I routinely go on Juliette Binoche hunts. From Andre Techine's "Rendezvous", through Phil Kaufman's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", and Kieslowski's spectacular "Blue", there is only one way to Anthony Minghella's "The English Patient", and Chatal Ackerman's "Couch in New York" and that road goes right through Louie Malle's "Damage".I am just young enough to have missed Malle in his prime, my perspective and morality just askew enough to not fully appreciate say 'Pretty Baby" or "Lacombe Lucien" even his wonderful "Atlantic City" eluded me for some time. But Damage, from the extremely short novel of Josephine Hart is a story that must be told, and Louie Malle is a superb storyteller. American movie-goers tend to shy from the psychological drama, of which this film is a superb example, as they somewhat shy away from the movies lead, Jeremy Irons. Iron's character, Fleming is a Minister in the cabinet of the British Prime Minister. He's from proper upbringing, his stance is rigid, his tone short and dismissive-he's a man holding in his gut for the entirety of his life who's getting ready to pop all his buttons in one fail swoop. His distraction for Anna (Binoche) the fiancée of his only son, has an intensity that is combustible and I would be derelict to tell any more of the tale. Not for all tastes, maybe not even for all mature tastes, but when you're in the mood for something adult, something intense, I suggest you look here.
Rating:
Summary: A Prime Candidate for Mystery Science Theater !
Review: I saw this film in the theater when it was first released and it was so bad people were laughing at it. Where to begin? Another "French Lieutenant's Woman"/obsessed guy performance by Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche as an antiques dealer who dresses exclusively in leather and can leave work whenever she wants for the truly ridiculous sex scenes (I particularly like it when Irons rhythmically bangs Binoche's head against the floor--that's a sure fire way to get a woman going!). You know you're in trouble when Irons rips Binoche's exquisite silk shirt and that causes you more angst than anything else in the film. And the ending is just ridiculous (where did he get that photo?) Miranda Richardson overcomes all to give a far better performance than this silly movie deserves. All in all a guilty pleasure, but I would pay big money to see what Mike or Joel and the bots could do with this one.
Rating:
Summary: A slim book with a large message
Review: I watched the movie "Damage" before I read the book and it blew me away.....
So, I read the book which was much more detailed, and again it blew me away. Damage is about obsession,control,and raw --unleashed sex... it's about crossing the line when you know you can never turn back. It's about losing control.... it's about a man who was never the man he was supposed to be until he meets the woman who shows him his true colors.... it's about a father and husband who is more interested in his own demented desires than his desire to stay sane. It's about allowing your libido to have power. It's about not playing by the rules......And once we cross that line, we become damaged goods....unworthy.....and deserve the punishment we get in the end.....
.....burning in hell on earth. Hart writes from her dark side.... one we all have... that is why I believe people can relate to "Damage"
We may never do what the charactor did... but we have thought the thoughts. Her writing is quick, sharp, one word sentences.....One word can say a hundred words, form a hundred pictures. The line in Damage was crossed and we hate the charactor for crossing it.....but at the same time....we understand, sympathize, and pray he turns the other way.
Rating:
Summary: An unfogettable tale of love and lusty obcession
Review: Impossible to put down at times and truly unforgettable! A definate must read!
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: 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.
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