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A Pornographic Affair (1999)
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The most touching film I have seen this year.
Let me lay my cards on the table. I do not know why I watched this film. I usually have a reason. The common American title (An Affair of Love) is not a literal translation, so maybe that was it; I wanted to see A Pornographic Affair. I don't know.
In it's most basic sense, this is a "chick" flick. Two people meet through an ad, arrange a liaison at a hotel to act out their fantasies, fall in love, and split. Well, the split part would not be satisfying to most. But, it is so much more that that. I could not take my eyes off the screen for fear of missing one word. There was nothing pornographic about this film; it was a beautiful love story.
Nathalie Baye (Catch Me If You Can, Le Petit lieutenant) is an adult. She was 51 when she made this film. This is not a WB teen sex story. Sergi López (Pan's Labyrinth) was almost 20 years younger. This was a film about two adults who met to have sex. No strings, no pretensions, just acting out sexual fantasies. We never learn what that fantasy was. Belgiun director Frédéric Fonteyne and writer Philippe Blasband left that to our imaginations, and I thank them for it. Their work makes me want to see their latest collaboration (Gilles' Wife) even more.
As Baye and Lopez meet each Thursday, you can see the transformation. The sex is a given and out of the way. They are free to communicate as a man and a woman. They share every thought and feeling, except who they really are. Names, marital status, jobs, etc. are not mentioned ever. It is communication that I have never had and have never seen. It was beautiful.
I said they fall in love and they split. I will not say more because that would spoil it for anyone who happens to catch this film. It is what makes this such a beautiful love story.
I said I wanted to see Gilles' Wife to see more from this director and writer. I also want to see more of Baye and Lopez. Having said that, I am not so sure as I do not want to see something less that this film and spoil it. I cannot get this movie out of my head.
Highly recommended.
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