Powerful, realistic and erotic
Wang has directed a superb take on the power between those that sell sex and those that purchase it.For years I have been perplexed at why men are such masochists and allow themselves to be tortured by strippers, Lap dancers and so on.What is the point of the "you can look but you can't touch" mentality?This is basically the plot of this film, and for those that haven't seen it I won't reveal too much more.
It was wonderful to view an intelligent take on the dynamics of the liaison between Richard (the dot com millionaire - Peter Sarsgaard) and Florence (the lap dancer - Molly Parker).The fluctuating emotions and overwrought hidden passion between this pairing is what truly captivates the audience in a way so rarely done in a film where sex is concerned.
We saw this movie at a midnight showing in NY.There were perhaps 40 people in the theater, about ten couples and a group of 20 or so friends. Unfortunately the group of 20 friends seemed to revert enmasse to a group of juvenile school children as they giggled during two of the most powerful moments of the film - Richard when he describes having sex and when Florence masturbates herself as a demonstration of her re- asserting her power.
Sarsgaard and Parker deserve extra kudos for taking the risk and accepting these roles and then for rising to the challenge and totally immersing the audience into these three days of their lives.
As another reviewer has said - go see it - more films should be made like this.
score /10
MovieLover267 29 April 2001
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0713468/35291
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