Cast: Caroline Ducey, Sagamore Stevenin, Francois Berleand, Rocco Siffredi
Director: Catherine Breillat
Producer: Jean-Francois Lepetit
Screenplay: Catherine Breillat
Cinematography: Yorgos Arvanitis & Paul Laine
Music: DJ Valentin, Raphael Tidas
U.S. Distributor: Trimark Pictures
In French with subtitles
Every once in a while, a motion picture comes along that deliberately defies conventions and pushes out the cinematic envelope. Typically, such films strike out in one of two arenas - sex or violence. However, since just about everything imaginable in the latter category has already been depicted in mainstream fare, that leaves the former. The trick in using graphic sex in any legitimate motion picture is to keep it out of the realm of porn. Once a movie has crossed over that line, it's no longer interesting, since hardcore movies are readily available all over. Most of the time, filmmakers avoid non-simulated sex for two reasons. First, most non-porn actors won't do it. Secondly, it limits the picture's potential audience. When someone wants to see a porn movie, they generally aren't seeking a story to go along with the sex. Conversely, those looking for plot are often made uncomfortable by the inclusion of explicit shots of sexual activity.
Catherine Breillat's Romance is the latest film to challenge our notions of what should and shouldn't be shown in a legitimate motion picture. A stunningly frank examination of sex and love, Romance follows in the footsteps of Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses. There are no taboos, and nothing the director avoids depicting. In fact, one particular fantasy sequence may have been added specifically so elements not found in the rest of the movie could be included. Some viewers will undoubtedly be offended; those who feel uncertain about absorbing what Romance offers should carefully consider whether they want to see this movie.
Any kind of write-up of Romance must be divided into two parts - the first examining the ideas and issues and the second discussing the explicit manner in which Breillat has elected to present them. Not much of a plot is in operation here. The movie's protagonist is Marie (Caroline Ducey), whose boyfriend, Paul (Sagamore Stevenin), has inexplicably decided to begin an open-ended period of celibacy. Confused, angry, and sexually frustrated by his unwillingness to make love to her, Marie embarks upon an exploration of other ways to find satisfaction, including a brief, torrid affair with a stranger and a lengthier relationship with a man who dabbles in domination and submission.
The strength of the film is that it raises numerous questions about sexuality, sexual politics, and the differences between the sexes. Through Marie, whose feelings and beliefs are carefully explored, Breillat is able to open up a variety of themes in a frank and honest manner. What do women really want from sex and in a relationship? Does the desire to be submissive free their inhibitions or generate a sense of fear through powerlessness? And what lengths will they go to in order to keep a man who has lost interest in them? In actuality, Romance is a talky film - the characters not only engage in sex, but they talk about it in detail, and Marie's running internal monologue offers insight into how she views her life and her circumstances. The film also presents a negative view of male sexuality and men in general - they're shown to be users, abusers, and emotional parasites. The three male characters in this film are not viewed sympathetically nor are they presented realistically.
Romance is provocative and controversial not so much because of the subject matter, but because it contains explicit depictions of masturbation (male and female), fellatio, cunnilingus, penetration, and ejaculation. Since this isn't intended to be a porn film, those scenes are far less titillating than one might expect, but they're there on screen with nothing hidden from the camera. However, anyone attending Romance with the hope of seeing porn are likely to be dissatisfied (not to mention bored): the movie is about 75% talk and 25% nudity & sex.
Caroline Ducey should be commended for the bravery and courage she displays in giving such a raw, uncompromising performance. She was brought in to star when no "name" actress would accept the role. However, not only is Ducey a beautiful woman with a nice body, but she's a passionate, effective actress. You won't see this depth of feeling and emotion in a porn film. There are many scenes when Ducey's performance carries the movie. (She certainly doesn't get any help from her male co-stars. None of them are memorable.)
Would Romance have been as noteworthy a film without the hardcore sex? No, but it still would have been intriguing, because the subject matter is interesting. Marie's views about sex are worth exploring because they are nontraditional. Romance isn't close to the best film I have seen this year, but it is a lively conversation-starter. And, at a time when so few movies provide fodder for even a brief exchange of compelling real-life dialogue, that makes for a refreshing change.
© 1999 James Berardinelli