Il sesso e Mrs. X

First of all, I must tell you all that the title of the movie is misleading. After watching the movie, I feel that the title should have been something like "key to a happy love life". This movie takes us to a journey of a woman, called Joanna, who leads a very normal life. Being a journalist, she visits Paris where she finds Madame Simone. The movie unfolds the growing friendship between these two leading ladies and how both help each other to a greater self and happy stage of life. The two leading actresses, Jacqueline Bisset and Linda Hamilton, have played their role with perfection. Their dialogue delivery is full of expression. The best part of the movie is its screenplay and one-liners about the life, mostly delivered by Jacqueline Bisset as Madame Simone. This movie is a must watch for every woman to lead happy love and married life.

Admit it -- the more you watched this film, the more you wished you were Joanna (Hamilton). I love fun movies, and I thought this would be the standard Lifetime sturm und drang (sp?). I was pleasantly surprised. Real characters, real situations, and two hours of escapism. Plus a bonus -- inspiration! Yes -- I was inspired to try just a couple of Madame's (Bisset) tips. I'm buying a teddy this week. Honest!

Linda Hamilton plays Everywoman as well as any actress I've seen. She's a real woman with real emotions. Arguably the most underappreciated actress today, Hamilton continually reveals her grasp of character with her understated performances. And her beauty isn't classic, but fresh (and also real).

Jacqueline Bisset is also a darn good actress, with the added bonus of glamour. Harking back to the days of Ava Gardner and Lana Turner, Bisset shows her sensuousness by hiding it just beneath the surface. Exquisite!

Madame Simone (Jacqueline Bisset) of Paris gives a visiting American journalist Joanna Scot (Linda Hamilton) some advice on reclaiming her marriage which is on the rocks. Madama Simone who runs a high-class whorehouse has had a lot of experience with men and women and the process of falling in love. Her home-spun philosophy is that if you feel good about yourself , then others will feel good about you too. Her recipe for success in romance seems to me rather too glib and her easy success leaves no surprises and the outcome is predictable. This is the fault of the script not the actors. The actors however do have their short-comings. I found Madame Simone's strong French accent clouded her diction at times and the journalist was supposed to be wondrously transformed with a new hair-do and gorgeous gown. For me it was not a remarkable change in her appearance, but yes, her outlook on life had changed. The odd photographer who breaks into the story is quick to notice a new face(and body) at party time. The photographer makes Mrs X feel important and provides the sex mentioned in the title. Based on a true life story, the film is largely a succession of events and conversations in a woman's life, and would perhaps have greatest appeal to women audiences. If you are a man leave Mrs.X to her own problems, and don't be misled by a catchy title.

This little made for TV movie was based on an article in Allure Magazine, February 1999, by Amanda Vaill "Rated X -Sex Lessons of a Paris Madam. I highly recommend the movie as it is very informative of how to deal with the collapse of a marriage and how to keep a relationship alive no matter your age. It is fun, insightful and intriguing. Both Linda Hamilton as the jilted wife, and Jacqueline Bisset as Madam Simone prove they are brilliant method actors. I remember seeing this movie when it first came out, now years later watching it again it reminds me that making the little parts of life enjoyable is important in a relationship, a fact so many forget in their busy day to day lives.

Sex and Mrs. X is a movie to be seen for women who still believe that men are the popular sex. Maybe in the economic world of the barbarians but not in reality. If you are a woman who likes a little bit of comedy mixed with a little romantic twist and a sensual out look on life, than this movie is for you. Personally recommending a nice comfy chair or sofa some popcorn, maybe a few girlfriends, and the movie. From my point of view, a lot of people prefer to have something racy and erotic from a title like that. But its straight to the point and very nonchalant. Two thumbs up from me!!!!