Anatomy of a Love Seen

I am not normally one to write reviews. In fact, I had to create an account just to review this movie. I despised this movie so much that the effort it took to warn others not to waste their money (or time) in order to view this movie was worth it. Let me be clear. I am a lesbian, so I was excited at the prospect of a potentially good/appealing lesbian-focused film. This was not that film. In fact, it was the opposite of a good/appealing movie. The film only has a running time of 80 minutes, and yet there were many points when my partner and I considered turning it off...but kept hoping it would get better. Let me assure you, it does not get better. There is no plot except for shallowness and self-absorption, if you can call that a plot. I don't actually want to spend more time writing about/thinking about this movie, but consider yourselves warned.

Word plays always get an extra point with me ... kidding aside you might have scene it already. Now can filming a movie or just one "simple" scene be harrowing and draining as ... can be? Yes, it is not that you have an inkling how something might go. Especially with relationships developing (devolving) ... and also reshoots can be ... a pain.

Now actors who do a love scene together can fall in love with each other. Actually it is also quite funny when you see how the scene is shot and how not hot at all it is making it (which makes the end result even more amazing). If you expect titilating love scenes all around, you may have the wrong movie anyway. There is nudity and there is ... passion. But that is mostly because of missunderstood things between our two leads here.

If you can't stand the drama, you may not like what is happening on your screen - but it is really well made, even if it feels annoying at times. Life can be the way ... love even more so (complicated)

I have to say that I only watched this film because the film I intended to watch on Netflix had disappeared. and when I did start watching it, I came very close several times in the first 20 minutes to turning it off. But as it went on and I realised more what was happening it grew on me, and in the apparent messiness some very good acting and some very truthful situations emerged. It's a miniature, but a worthwhile one. It's not erotic, except maybe at the very end, but that is not the point; it's about feelings. The sub-plot of the relationship between the director and her assistant is perhaps more convincing than the main plot, and perhaps more interesting.

This film is a a witty undertaking of a subject, that could be easily viewed as trite, or an idealized fantasy of what might be, especially with two very attractive female leads as well as supporting cast(both genders). The character realizations could appear, as contrived, but their is a sense of honesty, and hopeful behavior that rings true to the two lead characters. Specifically referencing those of true intimacy of being alone in public sphere.

The film moves quickly, and provides a fanciful imagination of what love and love lost could look like between these two ladies, and delves into intimate, while quick similar to that in life, moments of what it feels like to have love, loose it, want to retain it, and maybe win again. Yes, there is something familiar about the plot, and the characters, what is refreshing is the execution, and understanding that it is a bit of a show.

Yes, the ending is a bit tidy, however the question that is effective is that of the audience. Is this real? or is this an ideal? Luckily, the films producers and directors provide a clean line of sure, but its really up to the viewer.

This movie is so powerful. If you are a person that has been abandoned by someone you loved, who you thought loved you, without explanation, this movie will have an affect on you. Maybe you are the person who did the abandoning. You can identify with one, if not both, of these women. Some have complained about it being slow or no plot. I will say, you must have some depth to you to enjoy this film. It has very quiet moments, but that is where the intensity lies. These quiet moments are where you are going to feel and remember your old wounds. I have watched this movie several times since the first time, and it sticks with me for hours afterwards. Not many movies these days that have that effect. The two lead actresses did such a good job with their roles. I cared so much about Mal & Zoe by the end. If you are able to watch a movie without aliens/disasters/high speed car crashes, please give this movie a chance. xoxo