BEAUTY'S EXOTIC DANCE: TORTURE! is a bit of a hard film to rate. Treading much of the same territory in regards to subject-matter such as desire, obsession, perversion, co-dependency, etc...as other films like EMPIRE OF THE SENSES and BLIND BEAST (both of which are superior films in my opinion...), BEAUTY'S EXOTIC DANCE: TORTURE! is a relatively well-made film that just doesn't bring anything new to an already common theme.
After his wife leaves him, an S&M artist takes up with a local hooker and begins a sexual-relationship with her that becomes increasingly sadistic in an attempt to satiate his fantasies and fuel his artistry. The hooker is a willing participant in these "exercises", in an obsessive attempt to out-do the artists ex-wife in terms of the abuse that she can handle in order to please her partner. These desires and compulsions culminate in the downfall of both lead characters, as they find that it is nearly impossible to fulfill each other's obsessions...
BEAUTY'S EXOTIC DANCE: TORTURE! definitely has a few strong-points: the film is well-shot, well-acted, and for the sleaze-lovers out there - there is some decent shibari bondage action to keep you interested. Both of the main characters are totally believable in their near-psychoses and they play their roles formidably. The main issue that I have with the film, is again, that I've seen it all before, and better in other films. Also, the semi-ambiguous ending left a lot to be desired as well. Overall, this film will be of note to pinku completists, or those that REALLY like a lot of story-line in their exploit cinema. Personally, I found it to be a bit too heavy-handed and lacking in "action" for a film of this genre, and therefore didn't enjoy it all that much. Worth a look, but I wouldn't go too out of my way to track it down...6/10
After his wife leaves him, an S&M artist takes up with a local hooker and begins a sexual-relationship with her that becomes increasingly sadistic in an attempt to satiate his fantasies and fuel his artistry. The hooker is a willing participant in these "exercises", in an obsessive attempt to out-do the artists ex-wife in terms of the abuse that she can handle in order to please her partner. These desires and compulsions culminate in the downfall of both lead characters, as they find that it is nearly impossible to fulfill each other's obsessions...
BEAUTY'S EXOTIC DANCE: TORTURE! definitely has a few strong-points: the film is well-shot, well-acted, and for the sleaze-lovers out there - there is some decent shibari bondage action to keep you interested. Both of the main characters are totally believable in their near-psychoses and they play their roles formidably. The main issue that I have with the film, is again, that I've seen it all before, and better in other films. Also, the semi-ambiguous ending left a lot to be desired as well. Overall, this film will be of note to pinku completists, or those that REALLY like a lot of story-line in their exploit cinema. Personally, I found it to be a bit too heavy-handed and lacking in "action" for a film of this genre, and therefore didn't enjoy it all that much. Worth a look, but I wouldn't go too out of my way to track it down...6/10
