Damage

Rating:
Summary: Years later, this film still resonates
Review: I was lucky enough to see this film in the theatre. I was invited as a guest and went without much expectation of the film or it's players and left feeling like I had truly witnessed greateness. Yet, the film was so intense that I never watched it again.
Until a few days ago that is, and even after these years have passed and we have other quality films about the powerful obsessive quality of sexuality, like "swimming pool" and "secretary", this film takes the cake-mostly because unlike the fims, Damage isn't a mystery or a undergroud love story. This movie isn't about love, though the characters involved all love either other very deeply. THis is a movie about how sexual forces, made even more powerful by taboo and denial, can trump love. It's not a movie about the weakness of love by any means, but a story about how sometimes, the primal forces of biology and evolution mixed with modern repression can implode, forcing love into a kind of regretful subliminal message.
Other reviewers called the drama's central characters, played by Binoche and Irons, selfish and destructive etc. etc. But frankly, to me they seem completely and totally human, rutting in the streets without a single thought to their super egos, wholly moved by their Id. The films central message, i.e. that you can perhaps hide from your id or your primal destiny but that it will find you anyway, isn't a very popular one here in america, but one that would be very familiar to our greatest film makers, Woody Allen being the one that comes first to mind. "The heart wants what it wants." (And so does your body)
Pieces of art like this one, that dare to tell the truth about the whole of human nature are so important, especially now, when the morality police are in full swing. So if you have a chance take a look at this moody, shattering drama, please do.

Rating:
Summary: Who is most damaged?
Review: "Damaged people are the worst because they know they can survive." Dangerous is a good film that examines the dark side of obsessions. Jeremy Irons portrays a british government official who becomes obsessed with his son's fiance played by Juliette Binoche. The result is a film that only partially succeeds.

I had several problems with the film one being Irons motivation to become involved with this woman in the first place. A look and phone-call and then BAM! OK... but why was he so willing to jump into the dark waters? Power? Lust? Carelessness? Boredom? And herein lies the major weakness of the film. The film deals almost exclusively with the obsesson of Iron's character with Binoche but does not deal with the obsession of the mother (Iron's wife) with her son. Her relationship is clearly destructive and unhealthy but all the damage she inflicts under the guise of her love for her son never finds a voice. No fault falls on the mother when her obsession might well explain both the son's and father's weaknesses. At one part the son is talking about his family life saying that although it was good it lacked passion. His mother then replies that it is probably her fault and he replies that he rather thinks it's his father's. It's a careless and misdirecting remark and a sadly missed plot point.

As you may expect there are many sex scenes. I don't know what I was expecting but many made me laugh. They seemed so ridiculous and absurdly physical. I rather think Binoche must have suffered some bruising as a result of Iron's flailing.

While this film is meant to portray the damage that a traditional obsession (i.e. an affair) can have, it also begs to be seen from the the alternate perspective of a mother's obsession for her son. I am disappointed that Malle didn't have the courage to pursue this theme more vigorously.

Rating:
Summary: Gloomy, Erotic
Review: "Damage" was another book I bought on a whim because it was on sale. I didn't have a clue about the plot since there wasn't a synopsis on the back and most of the reviews inside were pretty vague.

To begin with, "Damage" is a pretty small book (218 pages) with short chapters and spare writing. Most people will be able to read it in one day if you have nothing else to do.

The book is told in the first person by Stephen Fleming who is a middle-aged politician in British parliament. He leads a very safe, boring life with his beautiful wife Ingrid and two adult children, Martyn and Sally. Everything changes though when he meets his son's new girlfriend, Anna Barton, at a party. His attraction to her is immediate and overpowering. Their affair begins after a few family get-togethers when Anna calls out of the blue and they make arrangements to meet at her place.

From the beginning, you know the relationship won't go any further than the bedroom (if they make it that far), but you get swept away anyways in Stephen's loss of control and growing obsession. Anna seems to remain a mystery, however, even after she confesses the strange death of her brother, who had killed himself years ago because he couldn't have her.

The ending, of course, is tragic and depressing when Stephen and Anna's affair is discovered. The darkness of the book might be a little too much for some, but if you like gloomy, erotic novels, I highly recommend you read "Damage".

Obviously, there are some sex scenes in the book, but they're not raunchy or overly descriptive. The movie scenes, however, are much more graphic than the book's, especially if you see the unrated version of "Damage". So, if you're highly offended by incest and adultery, you probably should just skip this one.

"Damage" was made into a movie in 1992 (aka "Fatale"), starring Jeremy Irons as Stephen Fleming (who I thought was perfect for the part, especially if you've seen him in "Lolita") and Juliette Binoche as Anna Barton. Although the movie follows the same structure of the book, I still didn't think the movie was that good, despite the several other great actors and actresses (Rupert Graves, Miranda Richardson). I can't pinpoint what I didn't like about it; I just didn't care for it. I certainly wouldn't recommend the movie unless you're really into the book or a fan of one of the above actors or actresses. Stick to the book instead.

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: Fun and enlightening.
Review: A very successful man becomes obsessed with his son's fiancee, and the affair ultimately destroy both his son and himself, with obvious collateral damage. I loved this book. The style is of a nineteenth century novel - or as many readers have pointed out, Nabakov's Lolita. Some of the ruminations/observations are not to be taken seriously, but are often fun; Damage is a quick, easy and fun read. At the same time, the book is an honest, enlightening treatment of several aspects of human relationships: obsession, of course; an alienated life; a marriage which is fulfilling for one partner even as she is aware of its limitations. The femme fatale is intriguing, and I am not sure whether to take her seriously nor how: she seems to renounce guilt and responsibility, yet she is apparently driven by the psychological trauma to which she has been exposed.

Rating:
Summary: .
Review: An interesting but overrated film. I thought Irons did a fine job. The story is interesting, although the motives and emotions that are driving the two main characters are left in an ambiguous haze. Binoche bugged me, though; I suppose her character and her performance are meant to be evocative and mysterious, but I just found her dull and irritating. The sex scenes struck me as highly pretentious, and the very end of the movie is inexplicably silly. It's not that the movie doesn't have anything going for it -- it does. But there are qualms to be had at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: Obessive Love (or Lust) Gone Wrong
Review: As is true with the novel, _Damage_ the film is not for everyone. If you are easily offended or prudish in any manner, skip this one. I have talked with a few people who rented the film because they were fans of Jeremy Irons but were upset by the premise of the movie. So, as I said, if you are easily offended, skip _Damage_.

Stephen Fleming (Jeremy Irons) is a prominent MP with a career that continues to blossom. He is married to an attractive, blueblood wife and has two healthy children. His son, Martyn (Rupert Graves), is doing well for himself: he has met a new girlfriend and has been promoted to an important position as political writer for a newspaper. Stephen and Anna (Juliette Binoche) meet at a party or get-together of some sort and discover an instant attraction. Stephen finds out shortly thereafter that Anna is Martyn's girlfriend. Within days, a steamy, destructive sexual relationship begins between Anna and Stephen. It continues, growing increasingly passionate, obsessive and harmful. In an odd (even wacky) twist of fate, their affair is discovered. Anna flees in her usual pattern and Stephen must return to his wife, Ingrid (Miranda Richardson), to see if he can possibly salvage his marriage.

Aside from the plot being centered around a man cheating on his wife with his son's girlfriend, the intense sex scenes in the film will likely turn some people off. I have seen both the R-rated and the Unrated version of the film and I cannot tell any difference between them so whichever one you choose, you are sure to see plenty of skin. After I watched the film, I read the novel by Josephine Hart and felt that I understood the characters much better. Although Stephen does inspire some feelings of repulsion from me, I do feel sympathy for him. He has lived a life of routine and boredom. As Louis Malle discusses in the "One on One" feature found on this DVD, the family life Stephen has experienced is one built on habit, not on strong emotions. When Anna comes along, something snaps. All of the emotions that Stephen has bottled up come rushing out like a floodgate that has burst. I suppose, all explanations and interpretations aside, that in the end, _Damage_ is the kind of film a person with either love or hate, understand or misapprehend. If you enjoy films about forbidden love or love gone wrong, _Damage_ is certainly for you.

Rating:
Summary: Captures the essence of erotic passion
Review: Damage is a stunning work of fiction which captures the transformative, compelling power of passionate love. Few authors can portray that ellusive state of suspended animation which anticipates catastropic change. Stephen is completely unaware of the banality of existence that he finds himself in; a state neither alive nor dead. When he meets Anna, his perception undergoes a gestalt-type shift and he at once realizes that things can no longer be as they were. Anna's own warning to Stephen - beware damaged people, for they are the ones who survive - sums up the theme of this novel, in which passion is cast in terms of power and actions inevitablely lead to irreversible and tragic consequences. Reading this novel is analogous to watching a car accident: morbid facination prevents you from looking away, ever aware of the compulsion that it could be you at the wheel at that pivitol moment when the illusion of control is shattered.

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: Not so subtle damage
Review: Damage presents the theme of animal instinct vs. reason. A British politico gets [excited] for the son's bride-to-be and vice-versa. Repetitive, compulsive sex happens again and again and the wife and son eventually find out. To try to explain why he or she did what they did is to miss the whole point of the book/movie. There is no reason, the only thing left is animal impulses, uncontrolable, and their consequences. The performances are powerful and the sense of inevitability, the determinism of lust is very personal. They could have used a little bit more of sublety, less flesh and more signs, speech, as in Eric Rohmer's movies. Get some popcorn and a glass of wine and rent it!