LOVE (2015) - ♦♦♦♦
Directed by - Gaspar Noé
Written by - Gaspar Noé
Starring - Aomi Muyock, Karl Glusman
"LOVE
GASPAR NOE's 3D pornographic melodrama on first sight may seem pretentious and superficial, to be relegated only to the fans of the filmmaker's provocative ventures. However, it is surprising to see that the film is quite challenging and interactive, and offers a rewarding examination of love and the destructive power of love.
Of course, given the nature of the relationship between Murphy and Electra, the love they share is doomed from the start, and would be doomed even if we had not been aware from the start that the way we see it on the screen is via opium inspired and slightly paranoid recollections of a frustrated Murphy, stuck in an unwanted relationship, and having just been informed of his current's partner's second pregnancy.
There is a perverse kind of interest in seeing the film's gimmicky 3D real sex sequences, shot confidently by NOE. These sequences are representative of the perspective of the filmmaker in examining love, and while they are admittedly excessive to the point of being boring and repetitive, even the resulting boredom appears to have a meaning, whether it is to be taken as an insight of an average male's perspective of a relationship inspired by the importance of Murphy's narration in the film, or whether it is to be read as a representation of the fact that this pivotal relationship was doomed and dead end from the start. Murphy, for instance, claims to be a filmmaker, but doesn't make films. Electra is an artist, and her connections hurt Murphy's pride to the point of him burning bridges for her. Love moves at a dreamlike pace.
There are many tracking shots that provide a further etheral fluidity to the progression of the film. The editing itself occasionally blinks a black screen in front of our eyes to enhance the sensuality of the viewing experience, together with the soothing whispered narration and the ambient rich sound landscape. While AOMI MUYOCK and KARL GLUSMAN are great in their physical, romantic and passionate love making sequences, the over the top acting can be a little too much to stomach.
Likewise, the vanity of director GASPAR NOE, who even openly refers to himself in the film, leads to some moments of obviousness that will induce some serious eye rolling."
Drama, France/Belgium
