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IMDbPro

The Principles of Lust

  • 2003
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
4.9/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Sienna Guillory, Alec Newman, and Marc Warren in The Principles of Lust (2003)
Drama

Crippled by his writer's block, Paul enters into a new, exciting relationship with risk-taking Billy and super-sexy Juliette. As it becomes increasingly tangled, however, he must choose one ... Read allCrippled by his writer's block, Paul enters into a new, exciting relationship with risk-taking Billy and super-sexy Juliette. As it becomes increasingly tangled, however, he must choose one of them over the other.Crippled by his writer's block, Paul enters into a new, exciting relationship with risk-taking Billy and super-sexy Juliette. As it becomes increasingly tangled, however, he must choose one of them over the other.

  • Director
    • Penny Woolcock
  • Writers
    • Tim Cooke
    • Penny Woolcock
  • Stars
    • Alec Newman
    • Marc Warren
    • Sienna Guillory
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.9/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Penny Woolcock
    • Writers
      • Tim Cooke
      • Penny Woolcock
    • Stars
      • Alec Newman
      • Marc Warren
      • Sienna Guillory
    • 15User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Photos26

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    Top cast32

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    Alec Newman
    Alec Newman
    • Paul
    Marc Warren
    Marc Warren
    • Billy
    Sienna Guillory
    Sienna Guillory
    • Juliette
    Lara Clifton
    • Hole
    Alexander Popplewell
    • Harry
    Julian Barratt
    Julian Barratt
    • Philip
    Gwyn Hollis
    • Jude
    • (as Gwyne Hollis)
    Tommy Yates
    • Bezzer
    Colin Nutton
    • Ray
    • (as Skint Eastwood)
    Kelli Hollis
    • Lizzie
    Nisha Nayar
    Nisha Nayar
    • Olivia
    Dylan Fielding
    • Charlie
    Mackenzie Crook
    Mackenzie Crook
    • Dan
    Ricky Roberts
    • Jordon
    Luke Smedley
    • Robbie
    Jake Geddes
    • Billy's Son
    Meryl Hampton
    • Mrs Kirk
    Roger Butcher
    • Job Centre Interviewer
    • Director
      • Penny Woolcock
    • Writers
      • Tim Cooke
      • Penny Woolcock
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    4.91.4K
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    Featured reviews

    7noir guy

    Interesting, if flawed.

    At last, a British movie with a degree of ambition, even if the ambition remains unfulfilled by the film's fade-out. Basically, this is the old tale of the blocked male protagonist becoming enervated by an encounter with his dark side before ultimately realising the error of his ways (see also FIGHT CLUB). As a meditation on machismo and the male psyche, this certainly passes muster, with the dark side manifestation Billy (a truly scary and, hopefully, career-defining performance by Marc Warren) proving that the devil really does have all the best tunes (literally, as the soundtrack really rocks when the characters get down to their darker doings). However, the invention and insight runs out around the halfway mark leaving us with some sub-Georges Bataille musings and a conventional wrap-up which seriously detract from an interesting set-up which promises much but delivers merely a light cuff when a sucker punch is needed. Still, it's dark, challenging and occasionally disturbing work (the corruption of innocence theme is particularly well handled, as is the direction of all the child actors), and the explicit sexual detail will almost certainly result in a truncated or unrated version being released Stateside. On the basis of this, director Penny Woolcock and saturnine star Marc Warren look to be emergent talents well worth watching. Recommended, albeit with reservations.
    9ogden_fahey

    Interesting insightful crtique

    Saw this tonight and felt obliged to look up this film online, its apolitical kitchen sink drama for the naughties - or noughties, or whatever - but its more than kitchen sink, its Shakespearian with its symbolism. Poor Britain, it has descended into lad-ism and porn, gone mad between temptation and boredom, the sickness of newsfeed represented by shocking violence, irresponsibility and real games. I'm seriously impressed with the writer who got all this into the script, I "got it" Its not for the faint hearted, a lot of things aren't, but if you're a player, or want to be - well you might be surprised what actually goes on. I hope to see more from this director.
    5ellkew

    Some surprising moments

    I am surprised so many people really hate this film. I thought it was quite brave in the way it approached its subject matter and for me it took me down a different grittier path to the sterile world of the ordinary polished British film. I never really knew where this was going which again I enjoyed (you can plot the direction of a Richard Curtis film after fifteen minutes) and it left me thinking about why other films don't do this. It was by no means ground breaking and the characters were unpleasant but then so was Travis Bickle. It had some strong scenes but on the whole it didn't quite hold together. Marc Warren was the best thing in it and I would probably watch most films with him in. Could have been better but still gave me some nice surprises which I can't say about many British films.
    1theplatformtheatre

    Unrelentingly Awful

    This is one of the worst films I've ever scene. And if this is the kind of film Britain is making then let the industry die.

    I was stunned at how bad this film is.

    The acting except for Marc Warren and Sienna Guillory is awful. Alec Newman stares madly into space a lot of the time. The supporting cast are so wooden that they can't possibly be professional actors.

    Guillory and Newman aren't helped by the fact their characters are selfish, boring and unlikeable.

    Marc Warren alone has an interesting character and his performance is all that makes it watchable. The film does at least pick up some energy when he is screen. When he's not the rest of the cast mope around in boredom.

    The script is dull. Characters sit in the bath or smoke joints while talking about living life to the full.

    The orgy scene is laughable with one character spouting pretentious rubbish about exploring the darker side while wearing a dog collar.

    I stuck with this, like I was watching a car crash to see how bad it would get. And when it thankfully finished I was left with a feeling of "So What?".

    Its a film that desperately wants to shock with it scenes of explicit sex and violence against children but to be honest is tedious and reminds me of the kind of thing Sixth formers would make to upset their parents.

    The fact this film was backed when so many others are struggling to find finance is another nail in the coffin of the British film Industry.

    Avoid.
    3max_willey

    Truly badly deeply

    I was startled by how poor this film was.

    All the male characters that were supposed to be "cool" laughably sported identical black leather jackets and stubble, looking every bit like middle class drop outs, but getting their kicks from hanging around illegal bare knuckle fights... the scenes in which the naughty posh boys were knocking about with psychotic hard-men bottling each other in a strip bar were extremely cringe-worthy and utterly unbelievable.

    Also did anyone notice how much Marc Warren looked like Eddie Izzard in the orgy scene with that diamanté dog collar?! That chuckle was the only thing I enjoyed about the whole film.

    Oh - the kid was an excellent actor too - really good.

    Other than that it was RUBBISH!

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      An uncredited actress performs unsimulated sex during an orgy scene. "Yeah, well, y'know. You saw it. It was always in the script that we turned up to a swingers club. I can't really remember a lot about it, but we mixed with a lot of people who really were from the club and just shot it. Certain things you can't fake, can you?" - Marc Warren explained.
    • Soundtracks
      The Sky Lit Up
      Written by PJ Harvey

      Performed by PJ Harvey

      Courtesy of Island Records

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    FAQ14

    • How long is The Principles of Lust?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 12, 2004 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Şehvetin Esasları
    • Filming locations
      • Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Film4
      • Yorkshire Media Production Agency (YMPA)
      • Studio of the North
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 48m(108 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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