This sophisticated film has been described as an emotional car crash.
Viewers will find it hard to look away. Louis Malle directed Damage in 1992,
near the end of his career, Based on a novel by Josephine Hart, Damage,
this fascinating, well-acted film tells the story of a self-absorbed,
middle-aged British politician (Jeremy Irons), who falls in love
with his son's beautiful French girlfriend (Juliette Binoche),
thereby jeopardizing his career and personal relationships.
(Who wouldn't be tempted by Binoche?) Although the intense relationship
between Stephen Fleming and Anna Barton is purely sexual
and defies rationale explanation, ultimately (as the title suggests),
the film is more about the resulting damage they cause with their obsessive,
reckless, and destructive sexual behavior. As such, the film offers
an interesting study in the consequences of such behavior.
Damage is by no means a love story nor a relationship film.
Much like Last Tango in Paris and The Unbearable Lightness of Being,
it is a film about sexual obsession, plain and simple.
Miranda Richardson brings a brilliant performance to the film
as Ingrid Fleming, the wife emotionally-damaged by her husband's betrayal,
and Binoche is stunning as always and perfect for her role in this film.
Tags: Louis Malle Juliette Binoche Jeremy Iron Zbigniew Preisner
