Emmanuelle – REVIEW - Price Prediction

1974 marked the debut of Sylvia Kristel portraying Emmanuelle, a blend of soft-core erotica that unexpectedly gained mainstream popularity and led to five subsequent sequels over two decades. Half a century later, we are presented with a modern adaptation/reimagining by director Audrey Diwan, whose preceding work ‘Happening’ (2021) garnered BAFTA recognition for its narrative on illegal abortions in 1960s France. This director’s new project, Emmanuelle, carries forward the theme of female autonomy over her own body, this time focusing more on pleasure rather than suffering.

In this iteration, Emmanuelle (played by Noemie Merlant) has moved away from her role as a diplomat’s wife, which was depicted in 1974, and instead, she is portrayed as an autonomous individual with a career of her own. Her profession revolves around assessing luxury hotels.

From the very beginning, it appears that leisure brings her joy, especially for herself, as we initially meet her in first class aboard an aircraft. Later, she becomes a member of the so-called Mile High Club with another passenger, in one of the most intimate settings: the restroom. However, this isn’t the only time her behavior mirrors that of a playful chimpanza in a safari park, as she is later spotted exiting the aircraft’s bathroom, catching the attention of Kei (Will Sharpe). This encounter will lead to them crossing paths again at the luxury hotel where she will be preparing a report.

In the luxurious six-star hotel, she diligently performs her duties, measuring the time it takes for orders to be served, assessing the quality of the restaurant, and engaging in frequent intimate encounters with guests, though these liaisons are not documented in any reports. Instead, we frequently see artfully composed scenes of her romantic escapades, such as her flirtations with a couple she meets at the hotel bar, her pursuit of an escort within the hotel grounds, and the gradual development of a relationship with a guest who identifies himself as a ‘FIT’ (Frequent International Traveler). Interestingly, Emmanuelle herself does not seem to refer to herself using the term ‘Sexually Liberated Available Guest.’

As I watched the series, I found myself drawn into the intriguing subplot involving the character (portrayed by Naomi Watts) who was mysteriously tasked with uncovering flaws in the hotel manager. It seemed like an unexpected predicament for her, just as it caught me off guard too. The company appeared to be using this situation as a way to reduce costs and let her go.

However, instead of delving deeper into the potential dramatic confrontations, the show opted to steer clear of such scenes. This choice left me curious about what could have been an intense and engaging storyline.

The narrative, reminiscent of typical adult films, is surprisingly shallow and vague, much like the characters portrayed. It’s unclear whether the dialogue is intentionally over-the-top or delivered in a way that suggests an awareness of its own banality, as if a wink to the audience would be appropriate. However, the film opts for a serious tone instead.

For those looking for excitement, the sex scenes in this movie are quite tame, lacking the steamy intrigue characteristic of movies like ’50 Shades of Grey’. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly who this content is intended for, as the era of films like ‘9 ½ Weeks’, which catered to more specific fetishes, has largely been replaced by the internet.

Instead, it caters more to audience’s voyeuristic tendencies rather than anything else, as demonstrated in an early scene where a male porter surreptitiously watches her while she shaves her Brazilian wax – perhaps a ‘Gaza strip’ would be more fitting given the context. However, it is a film that boasts stunning lighting, reminiscent of a Condé Nast magazine photo spread often found in hotel lobbies. In today’s #MeToo era, this film could only have been directed by a woman; yet, there is little to no exploration of female empowerment within its narrative.

Here’s the Emmanuelle trailer……

2025-01-15 03:24

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