Chloe
Release: 03.26.10
Rated R
1 hour, 36 minutes
Matinee
Dr. Catherine Stewart (Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven) is a spectator in her own life. She watches as her son Michael (Max Thieriot, Jumper) continually defies her. She watches as her husband, David (Liam Neeson, Kinsey), entrances every young woman with his charm. When David intentionally misses his birthday party, she worries he's cheating. Catherine hires an escort she's seen from her office window, Chloe (Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer's Body), to attempt to settle her insecurities.
If your script calls for a strong woman whose emotional state is deteriorating, looks like a job for Julianne Moore. Likewise, Neeson can furrow a brow of loving concern like few others. Seyfried proves she can step away from the kids' table to join the adults' party. As the outsider brought into the center of the Stewarts' problems, her role as temptress is impressive although sorely underwritten.
You won't find fault in the major players' acting. This erotic thriller keeps your eyes glued to the screen for many reasons, but Chloe suffers from one-sided storytelling. Atom Egoyan (Where the Truth Lies) directs with a skillful hand; subtle cues by the actors and symbolism within the scenes tell far more than any of the dialogue. Somewhere between Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary) adapting the French film, Nathalie, and the final cut, the lack of development of Chloe weakens the film's overall impact.
Dirty Undies
To clarify, the post's title is a reference that a very select few of my friends might remember. During a weekend school event, my high school government teacher spoke those words among a group of us when a sexy woman in a polka-dotted dress walked by and gave him a wink and a smile. I wonder if his game was tight enough to seal the deal.
I mention this because that memory sprang to mind as I gazed upon Julianne Moore in all her freckled glory. I thought Egoyan's direction of Alison Lohman's sexcapades in Where the Truth Lies was hot, but watching Ms. Moore writhe in ecstasy as her lady garden is attended to is...whoa. In a shower scene, Egoyan focuses on Moore's erect nipples (like erasers on those jumbo kiddie pencils) "for absolutely no reason," according to Monique Elisabeth of Movie Reviews by FAQs. I'd argue it was to illustrate Catherine's fixation over the details of David and Chloe's affair, and maybe, just maybe, it was a little gratuitous. Viewers will also be pleased to know that Amanda Seyfried's eyes are not, in fact, the biggest pair of hers you'll remember from Chloe.
The Money Shot
The performances and skillful direction are reason enough to see Chloe. The erotic content is just a nice plus to this thriller, especially for us pervs. Though Chloe's vacuous motivations leaves you wishing Egoyan had done more 'splaining, it's still one steamy, thought-provoking romp.
I tried not to read your review in depth because I do not want the film ruined.
ReplyDeleteI tried very, very hard not to spoil things in my write-up. Once you've seen Chloe, you'll have to tell me if I did a decent job.
ReplyDelete"Viewers will also be pleased to know that Amanda Seyfried's eyes are not, in fact, the biggest pair of hers you'll remember from Chloe."
ReplyDeleteShe's hot. I was surprised her breasts were so big. Wow.
I liked the twist in the third act. Never saw it coming.
I will have to look for the dots next time I watch it.
What was with her wearing that hair pin at the end?
I've been enamored w/ Seyfried ever since I saw her on Veronica Mars. Seeing so much of her in Chloe was so worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteI believe the hair pin showed that Catherine did, in fact, love Chloe. I wonder if it speaks more to the idea that Catherine was a closeted lesbian who had married because it was the right thing to do. They didn't really get into that idea, so I believe it had more to do with having someone in her life that made her feel loved - even if Chloe was a bit psycho.
I do remember noticing the mirrors and reflections all throughout, but I guess I didn't take that much deeper symbolism from them than the obvious. I'm glad you found meaning on so many different levels though.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed the freckles, although I didn't have the teacher's quote to refer it back to.
I don't remember anybody mentioning the whole "lady garden" bit though. Was that in the film? Or was that in a Q & A you heard?
Oh, and thanks for the mention and the link!!!
Monique
I might have to review this film. I might.
ReplyDeleteLove it when she calls Chloe and she is right there in her lobby. Great moment.
I still have to type up my Shutter Island review.
lady garden! ha!
ReplyDeletei loved and worshiped the clothing, make-up, and set design in this movie.
that is all.
This perv wants to see Chloe only to get a glimpse of Ms. Seyfried. I feel dirty, but not too ashamed.
ReplyDelete@Monique Elisabeth: I saw the lady garden bit in the film, no Q&A.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Always try to show love to my fellow bloggers.
@Film-book: I'm looking forward to your opinion on Shutter Island.
@Invisible Woman: Glad you liked the lady garden bit.
They were wearing clothes? I don't remember that at all. :-) Set design stuck with me, almost as much as that bump and grind scene.
@Fletch: There is no need to be ashamed. I'm King Perv 'round here.
Check out Chloe and enjoy more than a glimpse of Ms. Seyfried & Ms. Moore.
My Shutter Island is up:
ReplyDeletehttp://film-book.com/film-review-shutter-island/
Just finished my The Human Centipede and A Prophet reviews. Gotta type them up now. Now I have to knock out Chloe and The White Ribbon.
I think I'll be breaking my cardinal rule and read your Human Centipede review. Don't know what to think of that flick.
ReplyDelete