Based on two Hanif Kureishi stories, this challenging, disturbing film examines relationships with an unblinking eye. It's startling and revelatory and not remotely for the faint of heart. Jay and Claire (Rylance and Fox) meet every Wednesday for sex on the floor of Jay's fixer-up house in London. They barely speak to each other, just getting down to business. But this relationship means different things to each of them. Jay is head barman at a chic nightclub with a collection of offbeat friends, an exwife (Harker) and two kids. He wants to find someone who means something to him, but he can't figure out if Claire is the one. Meanwhile, Claire is also married, to a cabbie (Spall), and they have a son (Prospero). Her life has taken a few turns, and it isn't until things come to a head that we find out what's going on in her mind.

The film cleverly reveals these characters' innermost thoughts and feelings through actions and reactions, slowly and steadily through the length of the story. By the time we get to the end, we have been through a considerably gruelling journey--this isn't a simplistic romance by any means, it's examining the nature of intimacy, sex and love without ever being simplistic or glib. Chereau's gripping visual sense combines with strong performances to make the film work powerfully. Fox is absolutely amazing--she rings utterly true in every scene, from quiet awkwardness to full-on anguish. Spall is also a standout, with a clever, strong turn as the husband who isn't quite as dim as he seems to be. While Rylance gives a solid centre to the film, he is also a bit more superficial--but his role is by far the most difficult and revealing, and he handles it with sensitivity and a nice attention to detail. The graphic nature of the sex scenes have received a lot of attention, but they are carefully staged and edited to actually complete the story. There's not a gratuitous moment here--but it may be a bit too honest for some viewers, especially as Claire and Jay start out stark naked and then slowly add clothing in each successive scene. Brilliant.

strong adult themes and situations, nudity, language

21.Jun.01

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