★ 6 / 10
The successful “Sigismond” (Joe Dallessandro) has a sexually
CinemaSerf
The successful “Sigismond” (Joe Dallessandro) has a sexually active relationship with his wife “Sergine” (Mireille Audibert) and dotes on his young son, but…
The successful “Sigismond” (Joe Dallessandro) has a sexually active relationship with his wife “Sergine” (Mireille Audibert) and dotes on his young son, but when he takes a business trip to Paris he receives a letter and is soon indulging lavishly on call-girl “Diana” (Sylvia Kristel) with whom he becomes more and more obsessed. Her procurer isn’t best pleased at this emerging arrangement and takes some fairly violent steps to dissuade his future ardours, but will that deter him? Essentially, this is a collection of soft porn scenarios where the camera lingers quite pruriently as the women undress and they have sex. Maybe it was novel for French cinema in 1976 to see nudity sexualised like his, but after about ten minutes of this story-less frolicking I was really quite bored. To be fair to “Sigismond”, there are clues to the rationale for his behaviour dotted about the latter parts of the film, and there’s quite a twist at the conclusion, but there’s no real effort to characterise either him nor “Diana” either in spirit or by using dialogue, and as it progressed it reminded me of those saucy postcards you’d buy at the seaside at the turn of the last century flipped together, or watched through a kaleidoscope. Frankly, this is really quite repetitious and dull. It’s not seedy or seamy, it’s not racy or sexy. Just dull.
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Evocative Soundtrack
robjam
Despite the undoubted shortcomings of this movie, the soundtrack is evocative and memorable, if not haunting, with its blend of contemporary rock and…
Despite the undoubted shortcomings of this movie, the soundtrack is evocative and memorable, if not haunting, with its blend of contemporary rock and sentimental chanson. Kristel emerges as the better actor with Dallesandro never appearing entirely comfortable (although maybe he isn't supposed to).It also features a rare appearance of the legendary Citroen SM. Notwithstanding, this is a moral little tale with some beautiful images (no, not just the nudes). There is a beginning, a middle and an end (of sorts).It deserves a much wider audience than its art-house release in the UK produced. Possibly Walerian Borowczyk's magnum opus.
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★ 5 / 10
???Forbidden Desires Unleashed: Art, Erotica, and the Human Body ? ?
MajesticMane
La Marge, directed by Walerian Borowczyk, is an unusual film that blends art-house cinema with erotica, resulting in a thought-provoking yet sensual…
La Marge, directed by Walerian Borowczyk, is an unusual film that blends art-house cinema with erotica, resulting in a thought-provoking yet sensual experience. It explores the subtle ways emotions are conveyed through body movement, particularly in the context of sexual encounters and the notion that the type of orgasm one experiences with a partner can indicate the depth of their love.
The film focuses on a sex worker, Diana, and the story is told through a unique soundscape that emphasizes ambient noises and music over dialogue. The wind, juke box tunes, and everyday sounds like eating and cleaning create an atmospheric backdrop to the visuals. The cinematography is mobile and sensitive, capturing the environment and characters effectively. The film has a personal and artistic feel, and its slow pace and subtle symbolism add to its enigmatic appeal.
However, the film's obscure nature might be off-putting to some. La Marge sits in an uncomfortable middle ground, perhaps too conventional for fans of the director's early work, yet too restrained for those accustomed to his later releases. The film's exploration of sex and its links to guilt, persecution, and death might be expected themes for those familiar with Borowczyk's work, but they are presented in a more subtle and restrained manner here.
La Marge is an intriguing, if somewhat perplexing, film. It is a unique and personal work of art, but its slow pace, ambiguous symbolism, and focus on subtle emotional cues may make it inaccessible to viewers who prefer more straightforward storytelling.
La Marge is an acquired taste, much like the director's other works, but it leaves a lingering impression, inviting reflection on the relationship between art, sexuality, and human emotion.
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15%
AUDIENCE
5.1/10
1.3K
