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Damage (1992)

Also known as "Fatale"
Overall Score: 5 out of 10

Sometimes the love of a lifetime can tear your life apart

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Graves, Ian Bannen, Leslie Caron

Director: Louis Malle

Running Time: 111 minutes

US MPAA rating: N/A
UK BBFC rating: 18
Drama

On DVD On DVD

In this steamy erotic drama, Jeremy Irons is Stephen Fleming, a well-respected Conservative Member of Parliament, Junior Minister and family man. This arrangement starts down the road to disaster after he meets the mysterious Anna (Juliette Binoche) at an embassy party. He is immediately attracted to her and they begin a passionate affair. This situation is complicated when he learns that Anna is involved in a relationship with his son Martyn (Rupert Graves), and gets even more difficult when Martyn and Anna become engaged.

Stephen and Anna continue their affair throughout the planning of the wedding, in spite of the dangers of discovery and what it would do to his home life and career. Completely obsessed, he will do anything to be with her - even give up his family. Anna is reluctant to let him do this, wanting to continue with her upcoming marriage while continuing to see him. It is inevitable that their secret will eventually come out, and the tragedy that they should have seen coming strikes when it does.

This is a decent idea that fails to translate to the screen, and the efforts of its talented cast and director can do little to save the screenplay. While of course steamy sex scenes are essential to the story, there are just too many of them - especially in the first half of the film. It might have been better to use some of that time encouraging an audience to care about these characters so that it matters to them when disaster ultimately strikes. The cast do the best they can with it - Irons and Binoche in particular - and the pace and tension of the story do pick up towards the end.

Originally released under the title 'Fatale' this film was later renamed 'Damage' for its US release. The film is based on the novel by Josephine Hart.

DVD Extras: Only a trailer with this basic DVD release. Extras: 1 out of 10

It's Got: A fairly gripping ending.

It Needs: To spend less time on the sex scenes.

Alternatives: Metroland, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Bitter Moon

Summary: The half-decent second half probably isn't justification for sitting through the first half, unless you're a fan of Irons, Binoche or soft porn. Overall Score: 5 out of 10

Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 13th May 2003


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External Links

Damage at the IMDB

Comments

2 Comments

It it indeed a fantastic film. I watched it over a hundred times already since the time I bought it in VHS tape in 1990. I just love to watch it over and over and over again. Even until now I tell my friends about this movie. I love Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche, Im a fan of them. And even in the movie CHOCOLAT where Juliette stars I just love it. Congratulations!!!
Comment by:- Lydia Allanza Buitizon | | 11 October 2004 | ip: logged

Hi Lydia, I'm a fan of Juliette Binoche too!!
Comment by:- src | | 19 December 2004 | ip: logged

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