DAMAGE
A film review by James Berardinelli
Copyright 1993 James Berardinelli
Running Length: 1:50 Rated: R (Sex, nudity, language)
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Miranda Richardson,
Rupert Graves
Director: Louis Malle
Producer: Louis Malle
Screenplay: David Hare
Music: Zbigniew Preisner
Released by New Line Cinema
DAMAGE, based on the book by Josephine Hart, tells the tale of Member of Parliament Dr. Stephen Fleming (Jeremy Irons) as he falls madly in love with Anna Barton (Juliette Binoche), the latest flame of his son Martyn (Rupert Graves). As the relationship between Martyn and Anna becomes more serious, Stephen's infatuation grows into an obsession. He becomes blind to all concerns except being with Anna.
Louis Malle, the talented director of such films as PRETTY BABY and MURMUR OF THE HEART, has not used his cast to their best advantage in his latest effort, DAMAGE. As a treatment of obsession and its consequences, the film is effective, but there are many avenues left unexplored.
Irons and Binoche are both underutilized, with their ability only occasionally shining through. The relationship between their characters seems unlikely--Anna doesn't come across as the kind of woman to drive a man to obsession--and the supposedly "erotic" sex scenes aren't that steamy. Why Malle had to snip and clip to get the original NC-17 down to an R is beyond me.
One of the main problems with the pairing of Anna and Stephen is that their introduction to each other is mishandled. The long, lingering look that they exchange when they meet doesn't ignite sparks. There's no heat in it. And because that moment doesn't work, the rapid development of the affair feels contrived and unnatural.
The meat of the film--the part that focuses on Stephen's obsession and the lengths to which he will go to be with Anna--is absorbing, and occasionally riveting. Irons clearly knows how to play a tormented man. This isn't his first such role, but he continues to bring a believability and humanity to the flawed protagonist.
There are a number of intriguing psychological issues raised by DAMAGE. Unfortunately, all but the central one are unceremoniously dropped with little or no exploration. One of the most interesting of these is the relationship between Irons and his daughter (played brilliantly by Gemma Clark). An estrangement between the two is hinted at, but what could have been a potent subplot, using a capable young actress, is ignored.
Miranda Richardson is solid throughout, and may be the only adult performer in the film to get the most out of her role. In less than half the screen time of Irons' Stephen, Ms. Richardson manages to create a more real personality. She is as good here as in her other recent releases, ENCHANTED APRIL and THE CRYING GAME.
The denouement of DAMAGE is unsatisfying, although there isn't much deviation in the tone and focus of the ending from that of the rest of the film. Again, too many issues are glossed over. This is frustrating, because the film seems to be bursting with potential that is never allowed to escape.
Despite numerous faults, DAMAGE is still a worthwhile motion picture. It presents a stark depiction of a man on the edge who is driven to act by needs he can neither understand nor control, and the amount of pain that such an obsession can cause. Irons, although not in top form, still impresses more often than not. There's quite a bit here, just not nearly as much as there could have been.
Rating: 8.0 (B, **1/2)
- James Berardinelli (blake7@cc.bellcore.com)
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