Attraction

Julian Wright (Jason Clarke) is a successful, if overworked, marketing specialist, who is unable to cope with several events from his past. Emotionally distanced he lost his wife to his friend and is currently contemplating signing the divorce papers. With his love life in tatters he focuses entirely on his job with a big pay rise and new office on the horizon. That is until he meets Michael (Paz Vega), a sexually charged immigrant with an overdose of charm and chaos (like Amelia on crack). Almost an erotic thriller, much in the vein of "9 and 1/2 Weeks", although with the slight twist that Paz takes on the role of Mickey Rourke.

I seldom tend to gift a movie more than it's general rating on IMDb, but I for one am completely sold by a very witty, well developed script with fairly deep underlying psychological commentary. I do understand some of the issues with the movie. First of them would be the main characters. Both Julian and Michael (however much eye-candy she may be) are severely unlikeable leads, but given that both have deep emotional issues I find their dysfunctionality rather appealing and warranted. This may cause a lot of negativity towards the movie due to the inability to form a connection between the viewer and the characters, but once you gloss over this and delve into the story it can be quite rewarding. The relationship between Michael and his family, friends as well as Paz is thoroughly believable, even if we fail to grow warm to them.

"The Human Contract" probably should have also had more focus around the main issue of contention: Michael. The addition of the family context was well warranted, if unevenly scripted, especially in the final act, where the movie does unforgivably falter and the resolution is appallingly done (acted, scripted and directed). Almost as if Jada Pinkett Smith had no idea how to finish the movie off nicely and concocted up a poor filler in which neither she not any of her crew had any faith in. Hence the unfitting hack-job to cap off some really inspirational filmmaking. Also some of the characters and situations seem superfluous and detrimental. In regards to this one big irk is the lack of resolution to Julian's marketing contract, which seems like a key part of the movie, but fails to be closed (it suddenly and inexcusably drops out of the story) by the end credits.

Nonetheless the dialogue is crisp and cerebral, while the direction is assured. All in all some very important elements for great filmmaking, but just needs to work a bit on some of the rough spots in the movie.

For those interested the movie does offer some great erotic scenes with real tension and memorable build-up - something that I haven't seen in cinema for quite some time.

Not knowing anything about cast or director helped me truly enjoy this film, I had no pre conceived ideas or expectations. Except for a few not fully explained issues, the main plot and non conventional story take you to an original situation where freedom, anguish, pain, and a chance for liberation clash incessantly. This movie is not for the standard American public, I can predict it will be very well received in other parts of the world with more sophisticated film tastes. The chemistry between both lead actors is electrifying, the continuous tension keeps your attention fixed. Not knowing how the story will end keeps you guessing multiple outcomes. The sexual encounters are realistic and totally appropriate.

It is true, this is a terrible movie. it is not the sort of movie that leaves you feeling you have wasted your time as such, but rather, a waste of emotion. After you finish with it you wonder, what was the point?

there were several threads through out the movie that never developed into anything, for example the negotiation meeting, the brother in-law, the horny Italian girl friend, the blonde girlfriend, the photo shoots...

the main character Julian is about unattractive as they come. he has no humour or charm or sex appeal of any kind, not even half good looking, on the other hand he is violent, moody and above all, unhappy. it made it unconvincing how someone as gorgeous and lovably as Pex Vega's character would be at all attracted to this guy, let alone fall in love.

there were some sex in it, none felt satisfying or necessary, if anything, their lack of elegance somewhat reduced my enjoyment of the movie.

First let me say Paz as Michael was fantastic, great casting. She looks like Penelope Cruz but much hotter. As for the film, its the perfect example of a good bad movie. Parts of it are good, like the main characters, acting, dialogue and if the rumors are true the sex scenes mimics Will & Jada's alleged open marriage. Now for the bad part, the plot is 4-play without the sex & even at its climax at best its blah. Also the big secret thats finally revealed is such a let down, you see it coming the minute its introduced its like someone telling you the guy with the bloody gloves & knife is the killer. With all that said its a watchable film.

I didn't really know what to make of this film. It's like one story ends and another one begins, as though the handling of the story/script wasn't given discipline. It's hard to believe this type of story was written by Jada Pinkett, a really good black actress, I admired for years. Clarke's performance, with his flawless yank accent is the only reason to watch this, though the story does get you in, because you wanna see, where it's gonna go. There is a little sex, yes, some nice shots of lingerie thanks to Paz, but I had myself asking "Where is the story going". I actually thought the successful average looking, if dull, Julian (Clarke) with everything ahead of him was being set up by Vega, like in the car with the menois de trois, where the other chick was filming him, where he then bailed, where she was gonna slowly destroy and take over his business, being an old flame and that. I was way off. I should of stayed with my first impression-Vega was just one of those chicks (suicidal), void of restraint for living life on the wild side. Joanna Cassidy, popping up in this as Clarke's messed up mother, added good support. Too, I did like Clarke's short fuse, his anger problems, where between the possibility of facing a prison sentence or losing his job, had him walking a tightrope. All in all, The Human Contract isn't bad, all flaws aside. In the end, yeah, check out how it ends, it's just a time passer, but involving at the time.