Damage (1992)
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80% of critics liked it
(20 reviews) -
62% want to see it
(4,089 ratings)
Adapted from Josephine Hart's spare novel by British screenwriter David Hare and French director Louis Malle, this brooding erotic drama concerns the obsessive sexual relationship between an English politician and his son's lover. Stephen Flemming (Jeremy Irons), an up-and-coming member of… More Adapted from Josephine Hart's spare novel by British screenwriter David Hare and French director Louis Malle, this brooding erotic drama concerns the obsessive sexual relationship between an English politician and his son's lover. Stephen Flemming (Jeremy Irons), an up-and-coming member of Parliament, has a beautiful and loving wife, Ingrid (Miranda Richardson), and two children, including son Martyn (Rupert Graves), a successsful journalist. Sparks fly, however, when Stephen meets beautiful art-world denizen Anna Barton (Juliette Binoche), Martyn's new girlfriend. A measured, seemingly passionless man who believes that life can be controlled, Stephen suddenly finds himself unable to resist brief but intense liaisons with the mysterious, melancholy Anna. Eventually she explains the palpable air of sadness that hangs over her: When she was 15, her beloved older brother committed suicide because he could not possess her. "Remember," Anna warns Stephen, "Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive." Drawn to Anna and the passion she engenders in him, Stephen tries to justify his betrayal by telling himself Martyn isn't serious about Anna; he is stunned, then, when the two announce their engagement. On the advice of Anna's mother (Leslie Caron), who sees right through the charade, Stephen tries to break things off. But soon the affair resumes with full force, eventually destroying several lives. Although Damage's stark, frank sex scenes were trimmed to attain an R rating for theatrical release, the original, uncut version is available on video and DVD. Richardson received an Oscar nomination for her work. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Directed By
- Louis Malle
- Written By
- David Hare, Josephine Hart
- Genres
- Drama
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It might be well-crafted and well-acted, but it's still an unintentionally laughable film about an older man getting into an attractive younger girl's pants.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Jeremy Irons is miscast in this pseudo-steamy menage a trois, with Juliette Binoche at the center between father and son (Rupert Graves).
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Miranda Richardson was the best thing about this film.
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Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com
Gripping, twisting and worth seeing again.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jeremy Irons
as Dr.Stephen Fleming
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Juliette Binoche
as Anna Barton
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Miranda Richardson
as Ingrid
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Rupert Graves
as Martyn
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Ian Bannen
as Edward Lloyd
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Leslie Caron
as Elizabeth Prideaux
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Peter Stormare
as Peter Wetzler
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Gemma Clarke
as Sally
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Julian Fellowes
as Donald Lyndsaymp
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Tony Doyle
as Prime Minister
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Simon de Deney
as Young Man at DTI
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Susan Engel
as Miss Snow
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David Thewlis
as Detective
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Benjamin Whitrow
as Civil Servant
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Luc ??tienne
as Lutetia Receptionist
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Ray Gravell
as Raymond
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Jeff Nuttall
as Trevor Leigh Davies MP
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Linda Delapena
as Beth
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Roger Llewellyn
as Palmer
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Jason Morell
as Young Man at Sotheby's
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Henry Power
as Henry
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Barry Steam
as PRime Minister's Aide
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Francine Stock
as TV Interviewer
- Ian Banney
