User reviews

For those without a particular interest in the subject matter, the movie is deserving of perhaps a 6.5/10.

On the other hand it is exceptional with regards to it's treatment of S&M within the context of a genuinely loving relationship. Just about every aspect of dynamic touched upon within the film will ring true, or at the very least be recognizable to anyone that has more than a passing familiarity with BDSM.

Easily the best non-documentary film treatment of the subject to date, and I've seen many.

Not as entertaining or clever as The Secretary, but absolutely more genuine and reflective of kink in the real world overall.

"SM-rechter" is probably the most heart-warming S&M-related movie you'll see in your life. The movie features plenty of whipping, piercing, chaining and even branding, but I mainly remember a beautiful yet unconventional love story. A successful man putting everything he has at stake for the love of his wife, that's just touching no matter how much explicit rough sex it requires. The fact that the movie's based on a true story probably makes the two main characters even more compelling, it's not just a movie (though I have no idea how accurate the portrayal is, I wasn't there). "SM-rechter" is a movie that can make people talk, and it seems that was what the director was going for. And even in the unlikely case that this movie doesn't make you think, at least it's pretty entertaining throughout. Not bad at all.

I see where they were going with this, but the events are illogical, contrived and quite inconsistent throughout. I could write an essay listing them all, but it seems like a waste of time. When handling such a controversial topic (especially at the time) and trying to make somewhat of a stand, it can be considered even more important to have the movie work on all these fronts on which it doesn't. It's redeeming quality is brevity that ensures you at least won't fall asleep as you would if it were longer.

Despite the introduction of the main subject and the daughter, the rest of the film is pretty great !