Monday, July 14, 2008

Baise Moi


"Controversial" movie that fails on every level. The sex is not arousing in any way. The violence is not amusing or disgusting. It is not a thought provoking film. Its not well shot or well written. Its only ok as a "so bad its good" film and even then its not in any way recommended. A few funny (probably accidental) lines are the only enjoyment to be had. I like grindhouse movies, horror, splatter films, soft and hard porn, as well as artistic movies. The elements of this movie (rape, sex, and violence) are not off putting to me but the handling of it is. Even the rape seems too gently done to be disturbing. The acting is horrible. Despite claims of being a deep movie its title actually translates to "fuck me" not "rape me" as some thought.

You may have hear of this as kind of a feminist movie or a foreign movie that played in art houses. Or seen the large coverage this movie has gotten and the hype its gotten as a controversial and disturbing movie. It seems like it should be a credible well made movie with its reputation. However, its less credible and well made than exploitation films that are usually considered trash. That it written and directed by women may be part of the legitimacy the movie has gained. The plot is really basic and really doesn't go anywhere. Two women get raped and kill people. Often men are killed after having sex with them but there isn't any real one theme the movie sticks to as they kill pretty randomly. The sex shown is "real" as there is actual penetration like hardcore porn though the sex actually feels quite fake as no one seems to be enjoying it. The films throws a few more details of plot but gives them in a really disconnected way leaving no real story to get into. This quote from the wikipedia plot synopsis really says it all, "The pair discuss what they have done, and agree that it has all been pointless because nothing has changed inside them." You will feel the same way after watching the movie. If the violent scenes had been convincingly disturbing or the plot engaging this movie might have had something to offer. Even the explicit sex doesn't offer anything despite the fact that the actresses have actually done porn.

It might help to put this movie in context with movie that have similar elements. Thriller a Cruel Picture is a much better revenge movie with sex. Troma movies at their worst have more convincing special effects then this. Almost all blood is shown after the fact leaving it feeling very poorly done. Some may say the low budget look makes it seem more real but with such poor special effects it really takes you out of the movie and just makes it laughable. Shortbus was a much better attempt at incorporating real sex with a real movie. It probably helped that everyone involved with that movie seemed to have positive (maybe overly so) and healthy views of sexuality. I'm used to low budget movies but while some directors can do a lot with a low budget (Dante Tomaselli for one) this gets nothing done and feels like it was done with the lowest budget possible. It's an exploitation flick so don't pretend its art house, cause though it played in art house cinemas, they have pretty much taken the place of grindhouse cinemas in that they'll play anything. Its also one that fails to use the elements it exploits (sex and violence) to be in any way interesting or entertaining. Its seems only those who justify as a deep feminist movie or those who have never seen a decent exploitation film are those who are the only ones shocked and impressed with the movie. Anyone who's watched porn and watched exploitation and horror that's decent will wonder what the fuss is about. Avoid unless you like to find depth in movies that have none. Deserves to be considered one of the worst movies ever. Such films are usually credited with wrecking lives: Karen Lancaume one of the main actresses in the movie committed suicide in 2005. While it may be unrealistic given its fairly positive reception to completely blame this movie on that I'm sure being in this movie couldn't have helped.

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