Some Velvet Morning

"Some velvet mornin' when I'm straight I'm gonna open up your gate And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra And how she gave me life And how she made it end." Lee Hazlewood.

Writer/director Neil LaBute acknowledges Swedish playwright August Strindberg after the credits of Some Velvet Morning. And well he should, for his Some Velvet Morning has naturalism with touches of Ibsen in an entertaining two hander that barely covers the violent potential of its male, Fred (Stanley Tucci) and female (Alice Eve). The film is contemporary-dialogue driven, and that works swell for me, a word guy.

Lee Hazelwood's lyrics, above, sung by Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra in the '70's, suggest that the mythical Phaedra, whom Hippolytus spurned, holds questions to be unanswered about the ballet between the sexes. LaBute's modern romance, albeit she is a prostitute, suggests few answers for lovers are yet to be found even over thousands of years.

As in Strindberg's Miss Julia, the sexual play is masked by a restraint that is in check only part way through the film. Fred returns to Velvet after four years expecting her to drop everything for him. The dialogue dance grows intense as it's clear she does not want to resume the relationship. She repeats, "You need to leave, before I get..." as he demands she finish the thought. Hers is largely a reactive role that harks back to times when women were barely heard or seen.

Although the intense sexual battle in the film might lead to violence, as it did in the Phaedra legend, restraint holds sway, just as you might expect from attorney Fred and classy call girl Velvet. The verbal violence does not have the high class intonations of, say, Tracey Letts' August: Osage County or the middle class rudeness of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf; it does deftly display the hidden horror of relationships gone bad. LaBute lets his actors suggest the bad blood between former lovers and by extension the dangers of any male-female contests.

I hope the film's success does not rest on the surprise ending, which may trivialize an eternal contest between males and females. The hooker- with-a heart of gold motif doesn't apply. This Adam and Eve are in charge of their fates, and it's not pretty.

Watched this on the plane, could not get my eyes off it. Masterful theatrical performance , 2 people inside a townhouse somewhere in U.S. Big city. Plot reviewed by others. Camera action captures a plethora of emotions and takes you where the actors want you to go. You will love this if you like watching uncoiling emotions from interactions of both characters, if you don't mind the sexual setting (no nudity) but nevertheless it very sexually charged, and if you like small cast theatrical performances. The ending is indeed unexpected, but in a way may the best way to end this escalating very emotionally charged movie. Both actors make it very believable at every moment. Their dialog may leave you irritated at times, but it is very realistic.

This film is masterfully pulled off... great acting, visuals, everything. Unfortunately, in my opinion it fits into a category of the "Irreversible" ilk, where you are made to watch something drawn-out and punishing, for the sole purpose of a "reveal" that everything is not as it seems (this film) or there is something more to it all which makes it even more punishing (this film and Irreversible). As another reviewer has said, it's not entertaining.

Sadly, the comedy of Neil LaBute's successes is lacking here, unless you consider the ending to be a joke. If it is, it's not funny.

I caught a glimpse of this cruel-for-cruelty's-sake side of LaBute when reading the short story about a murdered prostitute in his book, "Seconds of Pleasure", a story which I'd be surprised to see make it into the upcoming film version thereof.

... he's been there, done that time and again.. she is undoubtedly the wonderful surprise in this film. Beautiful and talented.. a very winning combination. It's not a movie that's going to get much mainstream recognition, but there's no doubt, she was absolutely phenomenal, exhibiting just how good an actor she truly is. A fan previously, but she's now amped it up to a new level of commitment. The storyline is as unrealistic as it can get, but you're not clued in until the final moments of the film. It's also a film that will benefit from repeated viewings.. what you might have missed the first time round will impress in added screenings.

Some movies are left to be unseen by everyone because of the too complicated conversations and the slow development of the story. But if you are connoisseur you will like the movie.I found it powerful, disturbing, intriguing and thought-provoking. I understand the criticisms, but disagree with them. I've already recommended it to friends - with the caveat that it is not for everyone. Best to be watched alone. Don't make the mistake I did and watch it on a date :)