"The Embrace" is an interesting piece of late sixties soft erotica that never really fulfils its promise. Directed by Paul Collet, it has aspirations to fill the boots of the "History of O", but doesn't even get close to doing so.
Giselle is a beautiful but weak young girl who ends up working as a maid for Michel in Paris. He seeks to take the master and servant relationship to new heights of exploitation (and that not just by breaching the Working Time Directive). During this process Giselle finds herself trapped but mesmerized into this abusive relationship. She explores her sexuality with both him and with another woman.
It all sounds better than it is. It is simply not as edgy as Jaeckin's "History of O" nor that well shot or developed. At the end I just didn't find it sexy enough. Plenty of topless nudity and groping- but not sufficiently risqué to stir the senses.
Worth seeing- but just don't expect too much of it.
