TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Female Perversions [1997]
![Female Perversions [1997]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4119QAVKREL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £3.99
Our Price: £3.97 (subject to change)
Flawed But Interesting Art House Offering
Review date: 2006-05-15 Rating: 6 out of 10
Female Perversions, 1996. Dir Susan Streitfeld
Based on the best-selling feminist novel by Louise J. Kaplan, The Times newspaper reviewed this as "An elegant, dazzling, provocative film" All these points are true, but certainly need qualification.
The salacious title may suggest a knockabout sex romp, but if you buy it on that basis you'll be terribly disappointed. In reality this is an art house movie, bringing with it many recognisable traits of that genre, both good and bad.
The story centres on a high-powered female lawyer played - for the most part convincingly - by Tilda Swinton. The themes dealt with as the film unfolds are control, sexual desire, self-doubt, sibling relationship and self-destruction.
Incidental to this is the main characters open bisexuality.
As with many an art house film the plot is thin, though there is a unifying thread. The first half of the film has enough content to keep the viewer interested, but as the mood darkens the piece slows down. Expect something with the pace of, say, Paris Texas.
Cinematography and locations are at times stunning though inconsistent. Performances are strong but the director often creates a precious, self consciously arty atmosphere that can alienate the less forgiving viewer.
One jarring note is a rather amateur technical side. We are treated - incredibly - to an ever-present boom microphone visibly hovering above the characters heads, or reflected off shiny surfaces. I for one found this to be annoyingly distracting and struggled to remain engaged. The director Susan Streitfeld should hang her head in shame!
That aside, this film is worth a look at the price of under a fiver, if only for some of the stunning camera work. And it will get you thinking, unlike most Hollywood offerings. Students of film and cinematography buffs may especially gain something from it. Don't take my word - make up your own mind.
Similar Products
Reviews
Not quite what I expected, but worth a look
Review date: 2003-04-29 Rating: 6 out of 10
On the box is a quotation from a review in the Times newspaper: "An elegant, dazzling, provocative film" All these points are true, but with some qualification.
The salacious title may suggest a knockabout sex romp, but in reality this is an art house movie. It brings with it many recognisable traits of that genre, both good and bad.
The story centres on a high-powered female lawyer played - for the most part convincingly - by Tilda Swinton. The themes dealt with as the film unfolds are control, sexual desire, self-doubt, sibling relationship and self-destruction.
Incidental to this is the main characters open bisexuality.
As with many an art house film the plot is thin, though there is a unifying thread. The first half of the film has enough content to keep the viewer interested, but as the mood darkens the piece slows down. Expect something with the pace of say, Paris Texas, and you will not be disappointed.
Cinematography and locations are at times stunning though inconsistent. Performances are strong but the director often creates a self consciously arty atmosphere that can alienate the less forgiving viewer.
One jarring note was a rather amateur technical side. We are treated - incredibly -to an ever-present boom microphone visibly hovering above the characters heads, or reflected off shiny surfaces. The director Susan Streitfeld should hang her head in shame! The visual rendition on DVD is sumptuous though, albeit in 4:3 ratio.
That aside, this film is worth a look at this price, if only for some of the stunning camera work. And it will get you thinking, unlike most Hollywood offerings. Students of film and cinematography buffs may especially gain something from it. Don't take my word - make up your own mind.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Amy Madigan
Karen Sillas
Frances Fisher
Tilda Swinton
Clancy Brown
Creators:
Tilda Swinton (Primary Contributor)
Amy Madigan (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Boulevard
Manufacturer: Boulevard
EAN: 5060092900294
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-07-05
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 109 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)