Weekly Review -- Intimate or intimidate?

Intimacy (2001) -- Sexuality and desolation collide in this thoughtful drama about urbane loneliness pervading society and human relationships. Jay (Mark Rylance) and Claire (Kerry Fox) are strangers, linked only by their weekly sexual encounters, ones that take them both out of their partly self-imposed, isolationist routines every Wednesday. Sex is both a fiery undertaking and utilitarian task for the pair; it is a sweet obligation, yet it is also an unspoken promise of anonymous discretion. However, Jay becomes intrigued by Claire. He is fascinated by this woman who brings out feelings he thinks he has forgotten how to feel; captivated by this person whose reserved exterior seems to be hiding passions greater than their corporeal trysts. He decides to find out more, but more might be a problem for the two, particularly in light of their family situations... I liked the dry, sensual curtness of writer Anne-Louise Trividic and director Patrice Chéreau's screenplay, based on Hanif Kureishi's short stories. The writing introduces the audience to these characters in reverse, starting with a deceptively simple encounter and unraveling the circumstances to tell us more about how and why they have become so addicted to one another. The approach works for this type of story, since it effectively develops the characters through a fourth wall -- only making the viewer aware of Jay and Claire's lives, before they themselves are allowed knowing anything beyond their Wednesdays. The acting is superb. Rylance is compelling as Jay, who is searching for meaning in his life and mistakenly believing that Claire is the answer, when she is only a quick fix for his crisis. Fox is a picture of subtle euphoria as Claire, whose inner conflicts are drawn reservedly across her face in every sequence, only to explode in an unforgettable showdown. The supporting cast of quirky characters contributes answers to the questions that the two protagonists' actions keep posing; Timothy Spall and Marianne Faithfull offer up particularly fascinating portrayals. The many strengths of the film lie in its explorations of sexual norms and biological need for touch as a contrast to our dissolving societal interactions. Indeed, apart from the closeness they experience once a week, both Mark and Claire appear to be very detached from other people; then again, the world also appears to be detached from them, rushing past the two, when all they want to be doing is standing still. The weakness of the movie lies in too many unexplored relationships and instances, such as Jay's encounters with his friends and his attitude toward his family. A further development of these -- especially the latter -- could have provided valuable insight as to why this man does not have enough courage to change his chaotically dull life, as well as why he needs emotional band-aids like a weekly sexual rendezvous with a complete stranger. In the end, it is the general boldness of the writing and acting, as well as Eric Gautier's appropriately bleak cinematography, that makes this film different from many other ordinary romantic dramas. Intimacy is a mature and fulfilling character study, unafraid of sending its protagonists on a deeply cerebral physical odyssey, while holding up a mirror to the viewer's own psycho-sexual dilemmas.

7/10