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(1987) Love Rites/ Cérémonie d'amour (In French with English subtitles) PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA/ MYTH

Adapted from the novel by André Pieyre de Mandiargues co-written and directed by Walerian Borowczyk that has clothing buyer, Hugo Arnold (Mathieu Carrière) becoming infatuated with a prostitute, Miriam Gwen (Marina Pierro) after sitting next to her at a bus while she was fixing her face with makeup and a small mirror. And for a certain time, we hear Hugo's narration, and then by the time he convinces her to make out with him, she then leads him to a mysterious boudoir/ private sitting room.

At first, she becomes his subservient to his advances by allowing him to tie her up from behind and so forth. But then we then hear about what she says about him, that leads to baffling results, and an ending that makes no sense whatsoever.

The best way to describe this is that this is a no plot mythical movie to which I easily dozed off that makes less sense even by the time the movie is over. Viewers expect see any eroticism won't expect to get it from here as the lady, Hugo makes out with, while he is fully nude she on the hand is wearing a nightie with quick glimpses of her vagina that may or may not be hers as the make out scene was filmed behind a glass door.

Cérémonie d'amour is a film that drapes itself in the trappings of Parisian eroticism but ultimately feels more like an academic exercise than a sensual journey. Walerian Borowczyk crafts an atmosphere that is at once chilly and ornate, with the city's streets, train stations, and shadowy boudoirs rendered in a way that is visually striking yet emotionally distant. The cinematography is meticulous, often framing the characters through glass, archways, or behind barriers, as if inviting the viewer to observe but never truly participate. This approach creates an air of voyeurism, but the effect is more alienating than tantalizing, especially as the film's most provocative moments are deliberately obscured or relegated to narration rather than action.

The performances are a mixed bag. Marina Pierro, as Miriam, commands the screen with her enigmatic presence, her every gesture and glance hinting at a deeper turmoil beneath her poised exterior. She brings a certain gravity to the role, particularly in scenes where her character's motivations are shrouded in ambiguity. Mathieu Carrière, as Hugo, is less compelling; his portrayal of a man spiraling into obsession feels flat, lacking the intensity needed to make his descent believable. Their chemistry is often muted, and the dialogue, while occasionally sharp, tends to drift into the abstract, further distancing the audience from the characters' inner lives.

The film's pacing is glacial, and the narrative, such as it is, frequently stalls in favor of long, static shots and literary narration. Borowczyk seems more interested in constructing a ritualistic mood than in telling a coherent story, and while this might intrigue some viewers, it is likely to frustrate others. The sense of ceremony is palpable, but the emotional stakes remain stubbornly low, and the promised eroticism is more suggested than shown, often hidden behind frosted glass or left to the imagination.

Generally I am a Borowczyk fan. So I start from a position of sympathy.

The film has a certain gritty urban style to it, and it is not by any means his worst. For instance the courting scene across the Metro line is inventive, and the scenes are often originally shot.

However the film must rate as underwhelming chiefly because it does not really go anywhere. It all leads up to a fairly brutish love making scene which had long been trailed. I did not find it erotic and there is no trademark nudity.

So what? I thought. And moved on .....

This a total Borowczyk experience; well acted, fine dialogue, beautiful set and what not!

One jolly-irritating moment though, the prostitute (Marina Pierro) overdoing her alertness while crossing a busy Paris street leading her blinded lover (Mathiew Carrière) on the way to her friend's flat.

Except that slight moment it is just fabulous.