Brothel

What a mess of a movie. Plot, what there is, is all over the place. Bereft of plot the director then dimly lights each scene to make the film seem more arty. All this does is make it more confusing. If this was meant as a skin flick, the dim lighting doesn't help that aim.

Nothing good about this. Avoid.

95% of the film is filmed in 99% darkness. Headlights, lampshades, and back-lit windows are all there is to see in the first 30 min. I assume the director was going for an ominous vibe, but ended up giving me eye strain.

Not sure I will make it through the entire film to have an opinion on the storyline, etc. What a shame to waste the opportunity of this amazing location in Jerome Arizona!

As much as I tried, then I just couldn't get into this movie. There was just something profoundly offsetting and boring about the whole setup.

The storyline told in "Brothel", as written by Amy Waddell - whom also directed this 2008 movie - was just one that never sank its hooks into me. I wanted to watch the movie and get into it, but I just couldn't. The storyline just failed to entertain me, and I found nothing enjoyable in the movie.

"Brothel" was just not constructed in a way or manner that made much sense for me, in terms of storytelling and narrative building. As such, the storyline just felt cluttered and it felt like director Amy Waddell was just fumbling about in the dark.

And even with a cast that included the likes of Bruce Payne, Grace Zabriskie, Brett Cullen and Serena Scott Thomas, then the movie just failed to capture my interest.

I found "Brothel" to be a very slow-paced movie, and it took away even further from the enjoyment that wasn't there to begin with.

Needless to say that this movie is not one that I would recommend, nor one that I would ever return to watch for a second time. In fact, now in 2021 as I sat down to watch it, it was my first - and last - time to get acquainted with Amy Waddell's 2008 movie.

My rating of "Brothel" lands on a two out of ten stars. This was a massive swing and a miss of a movie.

"The Brothel" is a confusing film, a taste of which we get in the very first scene. I had trouble choosing a rating for the film, just as I had trouble sticking it out to watch through the whole length of it. I'm glad that I did stick it out in the end, even though I find the overall work only mildly satisfying.

Approach "The Brothel" in expectation of beautiful period costumes and sets, characters who are intriguing even if perhaps needlessly opaque for much of the film, yes some beautiful bodies (of both genders) and a bit of sex. Ultimately the film reaches a resolution which does make some sense and does provide a sense of closure to the viewer and for the characters. Suspend your disbelief while on the ride. Enjoy its individual pieces as it passes over and maybe a little bit through you.

Many viewers will feel that the payoff is insufficient to the cost of viewing through the whole film. I'm - just barely - not one of them, and did enjoy the film, having reached the end. If you turn this film off in the middle, then your time will have been wasted. If you reach the end, then I hope that you will be satisfied, just enough, as I was.

Add cocktails, quippy friends and an atmosphere conducive to clever heckling and this film could morph into a cult classic.

DRINKING GAME(S) 1) Character's accent changes- DRINK

2) Incongruous, befuddling edit- DRINK

3) So many opportunities. Pick your own. DRINK

Warning: When utilizing this film for the purpose of drinking games, inadvertent bingeing to toxic levels likely. Small sips recommended as unit of measure.

On Amazon, this film had Five Stars. Either we've been pranked, or many fellow film cultists out there agree...