Coherence and sense make a lot of watching any film. Without it, whether from a narrative or thematic standpoint, or both, there's nothing being communicated and thus barely anything worth watching.
That's, for the most part, the case here with this film, which is a remake of the 1970's French film of the same name — appropriating that title and narrative, and trying to explore a deeper 'murk' with the operative of sexual encounters driving the confusion that is suppose to neatly unravel the twists in the plot. However, the sex (why is it always sex?) only stalls the inevitable, underwhelming reveal, spoilers be damned.
At very least — emphasis on the "very" — the performances are still somewhat compelling; Freya Mavor is almost effortlessly charming and instantly watch-able, and I definitely get a feel for her character, almost solely off her performance alone. Also in supporting roles, Benjamin Biolay plays like he's auditioning for David Fincher's next noir thriller and Stacy Martin shows that she can transplant the natural charisma of Young Joe (Nymphomaniac, 2013). All three should be well worth a watch in more fortuitous and ambitious projects in the future.
That's, for the most part, the case here with this film, which is a remake of the 1970's French film of the same name — appropriating that title and narrative, and trying to explore a deeper 'murk' with the operative of sexual encounters driving the confusion that is suppose to neatly unravel the twists in the plot. However, the sex (why is it always sex?) only stalls the inevitable, underwhelming reveal, spoilers be damned.
At very least — emphasis on the "very" — the performances are still somewhat compelling; Freya Mavor is almost effortlessly charming and instantly watch-able, and I definitely get a feel for her character, almost solely off her performance alone. Also in supporting roles, Benjamin Biolay plays like he's auditioning for David Fincher's next noir thriller and Stacy Martin shows that she can transplant the natural charisma of Young Joe (Nymphomaniac, 2013). All three should be well worth a watch in more fortuitous and ambitious projects in the future.