Thérèse Raquin

Sometimes actors and directors work with a white hot passion that the screen almost melts in response. That's what "Thérèse Raquin", an extraordinary mini series aired in the US around 1980 or 81, has. The two leads sexual appetites are so openly displayed and animal like that everything that follows seems absolutely correct and plausible. There's such a carnality in their sex that it's breathless. When the plot thickens and murder enters the scene, it's with a sickened heart that you know all are doomed.

This is not for the faint hearted or easily offended. Yep, it's a "Masterpiece Theater" presentation but DO NOT expect the normally stuffy, stiff upper lipped Brit presented. This is more akin to "Body Heat" or "The Postman Always Rings Twice".

See it. You will not forget it.

why go to the bother, you think? Hey, the looks that old lady could give even when she was felled by Parkinson's Disease, almost killed: she knew the couple's horrible secret and was caught in the prison of her body. However, the wonderful thing that Zola does is to have everything play out in front of her, so that she actually is given the merciful gift of having justice done. However, I couldn't stand that wimpy Camille either, and wonder why the girl didn't run away, but then that was pre-feminist advances. How lucky we are. If we don't like it their way, we can take the highway and get along better off.

You might think that Therese turning into a hussy is far fetched, but I've known women made mad by their husband's adulteries that went mad in the same manner. The old lady's over-solicitous treatment of the son and the 2nd class treatment of the wife makes you ache for her, even as she wildly cavorts on the bed above her mother-in-law. Truly some sexy scenes!!

But what's this? A review I read of Alan Rickman in this movie indicated you saw the red-headed model. I never did in my DVD set. Somebody get on the forums and let me know why I never say it. Did it just not make it to the DVD set? Rickman at his cutest, with all those silly curls. And you get flashbacks of 'dorian Grey' from the scene in the artist's garret. Watch this one, and switch back and forth to Sharpe's Rifles to see Brian Cox age.