Well.....nice photography...

Rating: 6/10 (24 January 2000)

OK....critics seem to have loved this. It's a fascinating story, beautifully photographed, but directed with all of the subtlety of a small blowtorch.
The characters are fascinating, but we are left searching for something to connect the heavy-handed symbolism with the story. This film has it all, erotism, music, unrequited love, jealousy, bitterness, sadness.....and a totally selfish 'heroine' with a bratty daughter to match.
Sam Neill beautifully plays the long-suffering 'husband' of the new bride. She loves everything he can provide, and gives him nothing, not even civility, in return. She does, however, fall in love with the neighbor (after being carefully manipulated by the delightfully dark character of Harvey Keitel).
The problem is: when it all comes to a head, we are asked to believe that the husband, who has never shown ANYTHING other than a kind, gentle and patient side, instantly rebels with an act of unspeakable and unconscionable violence against the wife. The action was inconsistent with the character, the situation, and ultimately came off as little more than heavy handed propagandizing about the ultimate evil of men.
Gave it a 6, as I was feeling generous.