IMDb RATING
5.4/10
20K
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A young American woman living in London begins a passionate and kinky affair with a handsome stranger who may have a dark and dangerous past.A young American woman living in London begins a passionate and kinky affair with a handsome stranger who may have a dark and dangerous past.A young American woman living in London begins a passionate and kinky affair with a handsome stranger who may have a dark and dangerous past.
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I only got round to watching it because it came on the same Blu-ray disc as Dennis Hopper's Hot Spot
Could have been a whole lot better, the film is, nevertheless, not as bad as some suggest. I only got round to watching it because it came on the same Blu-ray disc as Dennis Hopper's Hot Spot - goodness knows why, I can't think of anything they have in common. The other reason was the hysterical comments from some on Amazon (and they must have been from people that chose to buy the film). Heather Graham is fine and certainly performs the sex scenes well but Natascha McElhone looks better and seems more assured an actress throughout. Co-incidently (or not!) both actresses appeared in the US TV show Californication with David Duchovny, who, now I think about it would have been a better bet than the rather flat, Joseph Fiennes in the lead. Music seems inspired by that for Basic Instinct and someone was probably hoping this might reach those heights, but no such luck. I see the story is based upon a book by Nicci French. I have not read her but find it hard to believe that the dull, uninteresting and unbelievable storyline is her fault. Something very substantial must have been taken out (lesbian affair? incestuous relationship?) because although made with great style, this really does not amount to much.
There are many implausibilities in this movie. This is not exactly erotica, nor is it drama (the characters barely speak and considering that, the expressions are not enough). HG's character, Alice, seems too cute to be sexy and adventurous.
Also, I have watched many films with similar endings, so I could guess it much earlier. However, the red herrings were nice.
I couldn't understand the loose end of Alice's boyfriend seen with her colleague.
Overall, I feel that this film's premise could have been explored on film much better than how it was. And the acting was rather on the poorer side.
Also, I have watched many films with similar endings, so I could guess it much earlier. However, the red herrings were nice.
I couldn't understand the loose end of Alice's boyfriend seen with her colleague.
Overall, I feel that this film's premise could have been explored on film much better than how it was. And the acting was rather on the poorer side.
I fail to understand why all the critics are coming down on this film with such vicious fury. Granted, this is not a Hitchcockian masterpiece, but please, give the movie a break. The same critics give decent marks for movies which are really way below this one, and sometimes even to pure trash, as long as they have a good Hollywood pedigree. Well, this one may not have the proper pedigree, but I nevertheless found it to be a very decent thriller, one that kept me interested and on edge most of the time, had a plausible story, and one whose ending was not totally predictable (which is more than you can say for most thrillers nowadays).
All in all, a good evenings entertainment for adults, well worth watching.
All in all, a good evenings entertainment for adults, well worth watching.
"Killing Me Softly" has one of those scripts that just don't give the audience a break - not only does it set up an improbable situation, but the big "twist" at the end is also mind-numbingly predictable (unless perhaps you haven't seen a thriller before in your life). The chemistry between the two leads is also lacking; Fiennes brings some physical magnetism to his role but as far as his acting is concerned, he's an inexpressive bloke, while Heather Graham is ALL TOO expressive - she overemphasizes every emotion her character is supposed to feeling by making faces at the camera. Besides, she's not even that attractive; even her co-star in this particular film, Natascha McElhone, blows her out of the water in that department. In spite of all that, Chen Kaige's direction is good, and he creates some suspenseful moments. So I give the film a generous "** out of 4" rating.
This movie was sexy, yet a little disturbing.
Heather Graham portrays an American who recently moved to London. She has a nice, safe relationship with her boyfriend, an Englishman who is very reliable. You can tell that they are both comfortable with each other, but because of that their romance has died off and has made things quite boring. One day, she encounters Adam, a mysterious man on the street. The looks they give each other are lustful and very intense. What chemistry! The looks itself were sexy and erotic! And can I just say...Joseph Fiennes is one helluva sexy man! Oh my goodness! He can play the hopeless romantic in Shakespeare in Love and the dangerous rugged type in this film.
Well anyway...they get involved in a very obssessive, sexual relationship. They get right down to business...the scenes are like whoa! Sexy Sexy Sexy! Eventually, all the lust turns into love. However, they know very little about each other which drives Graham's character, Alice, mad. Unexpected secrets are revealed...and believe me! they BIG secrets...which starts to crumble their affair.
I liked this movie a lot! It's not Oscar worthy...but its worth your time. This movie has a lot to offer...romance, sex, lust, drama, thrill, and most of all...entertainment!
Heather Graham portrays an American who recently moved to London. She has a nice, safe relationship with her boyfriend, an Englishman who is very reliable. You can tell that they are both comfortable with each other, but because of that their romance has died off and has made things quite boring. One day, she encounters Adam, a mysterious man on the street. The looks they give each other are lustful and very intense. What chemistry! The looks itself were sexy and erotic! And can I just say...Joseph Fiennes is one helluva sexy man! Oh my goodness! He can play the hopeless romantic in Shakespeare in Love and the dangerous rugged type in this film.
Well anyway...they get involved in a very obssessive, sexual relationship. They get right down to business...the scenes are like whoa! Sexy Sexy Sexy! Eventually, all the lust turns into love. However, they know very little about each other which drives Graham's character, Alice, mad. Unexpected secrets are revealed...and believe me! they BIG secrets...which starts to crumble their affair.
I liked this movie a lot! It's not Oscar worthy...but its worth your time. This movie has a lot to offer...romance, sex, lust, drama, thrill, and most of all...entertainment!
Did you know
- TriviaThe main reason Kaige Chen was keen to make the film was because he would never have been allowed to do so in his native China owing to all the sexual content.
- GoofsAlice's bra is alternately on/off between shots during the love-making scene in the library.
- Quotes
Sylvie: You had somebody who loved you. You loved each other and you let him go for good sex. Love isn't just a good fuck, you know?
Alice: This is more.
Sylvie: More what?
Alice: More everything. When I'm with him, everything is more.
Sylvie: Oh, God, Alice. You could write greetings cards. You really bloody could.
- Alternate versionsUS theatrical version was edited for sexuality to secure a R rating. The film was released on DVD & video in both its censored and unrated version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Making of 'Killing Me Softly' (2003)
Details
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- Also known as
- Mátame suavemente
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Box office
- Budget
- $25,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $7,775,138
- Runtime
- 1h 40m(100 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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