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Tuesday, 15 August 2006 01:06 |
The frequently unclothed Roger Rees (displaying a body that any 60-plus male would be more than proud of) plays the central role of Peter, a married therapist who has had a long-standing professional relationship with his S&M mistress Suzanne (Geno Lechner). That relationship, tacitly condoned by Peter's wife, becomes threatened when Suzanne announces that she is quitting her job in the dungeon, leading Peter to propose that they begin meeting on the outside.
Although she returns his feelings to some degree, Suzanne's professional ethics and personal qualms lead her to resist the proposal. Eventually she relents, leading to the inevitable emotional complications.
The film reveals the influence of director/co-writer Werthman's profession because it adopts a highly clinical and thoughtful rather than exploitative turn. Although at times one wishes for a little more heat, of both the dramatic and erotic variety, there is an admirable intelligence and restraint on display.
Much of the film's impact is thanks to the performance given by Rees, here handed a rare leading dramatic role. Anyone who has seen the actor in the landmark production of "Nicholas Nickelby" is well aware of what this talented actor is capable of, and here he delivers a beautifully nuanced and subtle performance that makes his character a far more sympathetic figure than one might have expected.
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