Solid performances in wicked power play

Published May 22, 2015

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VENUS IN FUR (DVD)

DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski

CAST: Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathieu Amalric

CLASSIFICATION: 18LS

RUNNING TIME: 92 minutes

RATING: ****

For those who saw the play locally, starring Janna Ramos-Violante and Neil Coppen, this will be a fun exercise. I preferred the live version, but this is another look at an intriguing work.

What makes it more interesting is the fact that the male star is a younger version of the director (in looks) and that the female star is played by his real-life wife, but that’s an aside.

An actress tries to convince an exhausted director that she’s perfect for his upcoming production. He needs quite a bit of convincing, but she soon twists him around her little finger because he can’t quite figure out what’s happening.

Neither can the viewer on every level. And that turns this into quite a guessing game. Now you’re in a play within the play and within moments, it’s two people speaking to one another – not lines any longer.

There’s lots happening with the woman making a strong case for gender issues and the way the playwright views his women. She turns him and his play on his head and it is the mental as well as physical gymnastics that keep you hooked. A gripping watch with excellent acting and a quirky if wicked script. – Diane de Beer

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