SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Leoni Haney Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Ginger Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

nbthalia This film grabs you on several emotional levels and maintains a consistent power to enthral throughout, not a mean achievement in this material and superficial age. The depiction of a ruthlessly predatory female is perfectly rendered by the female lead Juliette Brinoche. Who would think that so much scheming energy could be contained in this pint-sized woman? When her shattering and shocking early life is revealed, then we realise where these searing and ultimately destructive forces originated. One almost feels sorry for Jeremy Irons, the unfortunate man who falls for her in a hopeless tangle of wayward emotions. Then our sympathy quickly evaporates when we realise what a total idiot he is. From then on we fervently hope that the two utterly selfish protagonists are hell bent on their richly deserved demise. We are not disappointed in this respect, but the journey through the course of their torrid affair is not an easy one for the viewer. Satisfied we may be that their just deserts come to fruit, but not before we undergo a roller-coaster ride of emotional intensity rarely seen in modern cinema. It is a fascinating peep into the world of the rich and powerful with their bland acceptance of their fortunate place in society and blinkered assumption that their destiny is somehow richly deserved, predestined even. How cheered we are when events occur that can not only shake them to their self-satisfied core, but also totally destroy them. So although this wonderful film is often an unsettling experience, it has a strong feel-good factor at its heart.

kenjha What a dreary and depressing movie! The script is ridiculously inadequate to begin with and takes a laughable turn towards ludicrous. The romance between Irons and Binoche comes out of nowhere and is not believable for a moment. Their love scenes are obviously meant to be passionate but they are so poorly executed that they come across as rather comical. It is hard to believe that someone like Irons would risk everything for someone as incredibly bland as Binoche is portrayed to be here. Irons does his usual pompous blow-hard routine. The only notable performance is given by Richardson as Irons's suffering wife. This is undoubtedly the worst film of Malle's career.

BigApplePi From the very beginning they are drawn to each other. "Something" at first sight. If this was not to happen, one of them would look away. An unknown need is present. The Juliet Binoche character has been through an experience of damage. If she is at all appealing, and she is, she could use saving. The Jeremy Irons character must sense this. It's up to us to determine what there is about Jeremy needing saving. There is a strong desire to save the opposite sex if one needs saving themselves. This is a requirement which must be met at all costs. I think that is the theme of this film.It is very well acted. Be careful if you are going to try and save someone that you know what you are doing lest you end up damaging yourself and all around you.

The_Film_Cricket There is a moment that almost every human being has. It is that moment when we see another person across a room, at a party, at work or waiting for a bus and we are sexually attracted to them. We don't make a move but keep our eyes on them. For most of us we suddenly look away before being noticed. Stephen Fleming has a moment like that in 'Damage' but chooses not to look away and throughout the film we sense that if he had, his life would have been different.The woman in named Anne and he keeps his eyes on her long after it would seem appropriate. Each knows what the other is thinking. There is a mutual sexual attraction, a heat between these two that is brought about by glances and slight gestures. We might feel compelled to be happy for Stephen and Anne if it weren't for the fact that he is married and that she is engaged .. . to his son.They have sex and the scenes are handled, not at exploitation but as an athletic, carnal act that comes out of instinct not pornography. Their sex is pure reckless abandon, without any thoughts to the people that they are hurting. We know that Stephen is headed for disaster but he keeps on having an affair with Anna. This is a relationship brought out of sexual obsession, not romance or reason.This movie would be nothing without the right actors in the role. Jeremy Irons has always been a powerful actor when it comes to playing a man consumed by passion. Here he keeps gunning the motor of his lust even if it risks breaking his life apart. Juliet Binoche is one of my favorite actresses. She is an actress who knows how to give a performance based on gestures. She isn't required to speak much in 'Damage' but at one point she tells Irons about a painful event from her past. She describes herself as damaged and dangerous. This is another warning sign that Stephen has chosen to avoid.Miranda Richardson is also excellent as Irons' wife. The emotional turmoil her character goes through at the end is heartbreaking. She is filled with frustration, confusion, hatred and heartbreak. Her outbursts and her actions are appropriate.'Damage' reminds me of 'The Last Tango in Paris', another movie about sexual obsession. In both films we see destructive forces at work. These films are not sex romps used to titillate (like the similar but lame 'Basic Instinct') but as a human craving that the characters seemingly don't know any other way to deal with. Watching 'Damage' is like watching a train wreck. You cannot bear to look nor can you bear to look away.