Intimacy (Unrated/2004)
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: B-
In a new wave of films with more mature, sexually explicit
content that are mature, interesting, honest, intelligent and forward, Patrice
Chéreau’s Intimacy (2004) comes from England and is not a bad story at
all of a couple who in Last Tango In Paris style have a sexual
relationship where they do not know each other. From the very beginning, this relationship is obviously highly
charged with much physicality and connection.
Kerry Fox and Mark Rylance play the couple.
As the film unfolds, we learn they have a schedule to get
together, have been at this for a while and intend to keep this going no matter
what. She (Fox) has a family, while he
(Rylance) has a business and they certainly do not want scandal, but they do
want each other. She wants to be an
actress and generally does not have the happiness in her life she should,
married to a cab driver (Timothy Spall) who has no idea what is going on. The film does not try to find fault in
anyone, though some of the trouble may be the misery of lower socio-economic
living. Too bad, because these are
nice, interesting people who deserve better all around. Though there is nothing groundbreaking or
innovative here, all Intimacy has to do is be true to its characters as
it does and the film works.
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image has good color,
but not always good detail for whatever reasons. Cinematographer Eric Gautier, A.F.C., makes some interesting
choices in the way he shoots the film, including a more realistic approach to
the sex scenes which are all the more real without looking like a documentary,
XXX film or to be just outright clinical.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound mix is not bad, though much of the film is dialogue
despite the use of music here and there.
Nothing spectacular here, but it is still not bad. Extras include stills, text biographies and
the original theatrical trailer.
- Nicholas Sheffo
