DAMAGE
A film review by Ken Johnson
Copyright 1993 Ken Johnson
1:54, unrated version (NC-17 version), Drama, 1993 Director: Louis Malle Cast: Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Graves, Ian Bannen, Peter Stormare, Gemma Clarke, Julian Fellowes, Leslie Caron
Jeremy Irons is having an obsessive affair with Juliette Binoche. Binoche falls in love with Rupert Graves, Irons's son. As Binoche and Graves relationship gets more and more serious, Irons tries to end it.
DAMAGE is an incredibly slow-moving boring film that is a complete waste of time. I can't recommend this film to anyone, unless you enjoy watching grass grow in the dark. DAMAGE is now available on videocassette in two versions, the R rated theatrical version that runs for 1:50 and the unrated (original NC-17 version) that runs for 1:54 (the version that I am reviewing). On a scale of zero to five, I give DAMAGE a zero (too bad it doesn't go lower). DAMAGE is unrated and contains female nudity, brief male nudity, adult situations, and explicit language.
Louis Malle, the director of the good film PRETTY BABY, has made a real loser of a film. Hopefully this film will be a low point in his career. Jeremy Irons (whom I have heard is a good actor) was not at all impressive in this film. The only way to describe his acting is wooden and uninspired. Juliette Binoche (a newcomer to films I believe) also didn't do a good job. She didn't ever seem to be with this film. Miranda Richardson (who did such a good job in the recent THE CRYING GAME) is not at all interesting in this film. I was very disappointed, especially considering she received an academy award nomination for best supporting actress. Rupert Graves (WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD) does the best job out of the cast. He seemed to put some life into his role.
This film is poorly written and moves along slowly. The characters are boring and invoke no interest from the viewer. I have something to say about the "hot and steamy" sex scenes too, they were neither hot or steamy. Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche have about as much sexual chemistry as two eggs. The sex scenes look fake and are erotic in no way. If you are looking for a good erotic drama, may I suggest THE BLUE LAGOON with Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins or WILD ORCHID with Mickey Rourke and Carre Otis. And if you are looking for a well done film, may I suggest that you just skip this one.
-------- Ken Johnson blj@mithrandir.cs.unh.edu
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