Curiosa - Die Kunst der Verführung

Now this is based on actual photography and pictures that were taken as the movie tells us at the end. But it also is a story about forbidden things. Forbidden love, forbidden pleasures, forbidden photos and positions. Who is being hurt in all this? Who needs saving though? This is something that the movie is not really making much of a point.

For better or worse, there is quite the focus on the nudity (no pun intended) and the passion our main character seeks to get pleasure. You can interpret things and read some stuff I reckon, on the other hand maybe the one scene where a not erect penis is shown might be all the answer you (and she) need. Just saying

The basic feeling is about a form of improvisation. Few erotic photographs and a story who use every cliche about French fin de siecle. Two friends and their love for the same woman. The option of her father for marriage and her option for a long, hot , sensual adventure. The new detail complicated all and a drop of exotism. Nice photography and a lot of nudes. And a conventional end. Sure, obvious good intentions. But, after its end, the story seems more than thin, the characters - just sketches and the purpoise - to create an erotic film, using different pretextes. And, after all, the sin remains the less courage of director to give a coherent and fair story and not a sort of cinematographic experiment. So, in large lines, a decent try.

It is set in France during the time women had little choice in their lives. Often sheltered, knowing little about their bodies, and marriages were more for convenience and security than for love. Pierre takes pictures. First, with a camera that uses glass plates, and then being more happy to get a Kodak box camera. He has an Algerian woman, Zohra that he is partial towards, and she performs erotic dances before small groups of friends, as well as posing for him. Marie, who is in a rather loveless marriage, starts an affair with him. And her husband, Henri seems to accept that. And at first Marie accepts that Pierre sleeps around, but soon decides that she really loves him, and tells him she doesn't love Henri. This is not what Pierre has in mind, however. So as expected, things start to quickly get complicated. The cinematography is excellent, and crisp for those who may watch the movie for only one thing, and they will not be disappointed. But it can get boring. Part of that is the movie is paced to how things would unfold back then, not as would be current.

It's just... dull. The actors are doing their best, but the slow paced, no-surprise directing and story just don't do it any good. I personally didn't feel any connection to any of the characters, it seemed like a cold movie with no soul.

Many people here like the music score. I don't. I don't see why you would use contemporary music in a period drama movie. They could've used some classical improvisation.

The french of the fin-de-siecle... cliche or not, they were amazing. But this film doesn't seem to catch the magic of them and those times.

It's repetitive, slow paced at times, empty from emotional point of view. Just doesn't deliver.

Just a quick review. I saw this based on the poster art (an attractive woman in French knickers). I have to say after Larry Clark's The Smell Of Us it ranks as the most boring film I've seen this year. The production, sets and costumes are all first rate, but how do you make taboo subjects boring? Watch this film and find out.