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Damage
1992 111 min France, United Kingdom R 18+
★7.4
Drama, Romance
Director: Louis Malle
🎭 Based on
«Damage»
byJosephine Hart
Trailers
Description
The life of a respected British politician at the height of his career crumbles when he becomes obsessed with his son's lover.
Budget:
$11M
US Gross:
$7.53M
Worldwide:
$31M
Starring
Jeremy Irons
Actor
Juliette Binoche
Actor
Miranda Richardson
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1993
— Best Supporting Actress
César Awards 1993
— Best Actress
Academy Awards 1993
— Best Supporting Actress
BAFTA 1993
— Best Supporting Actress
Key opinion
Louis Malle's Damage is a polarizing psychological drama that centers on an all-consuming, illicit affair between a politician and his son's fiancée. While many viewers are captivated by the film's haunting atmosphere and the lead actors' intense commitment to their roles, others find the narrative's lack of development and cold, detached character dynamics difficult to embrace.
| Acting | Jeremy Irons delivers a magnetic and deeply committed performance that anchors the film's exploration of obsession and emotional collapse. | |
| Score | Zbigniew Preisner's mesmerizing score serves as the film's emotional core, effectively heightening the tension and the lingering sense of sorrow. | |
| Pacing | The film utilizes a slow, contemplative, and atmosphere-driven tempo, which resonates with viewers seeking psychological depth but alienates those desiring faster narrative progression. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Juliette Binoche's portrayal of Anna are sharply divided: some see a masterful, haunting performance of a hollow woman, while others perceive a cold, depthless lack of emotional authenticity. | |
| Originality | The erotic scenes are criticized for feeling either exaggerated and bordering on the grotesque or failing to convey genuine intimacy and passion. | |
| Screenplay | The script is viewed as a successful, faithful literary adaptation by some, while others find the character motivations underdeveloped and the final plot twist predictable. |