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| Damage
Year: 1993
Directed:
- Louis Malle
Actors/Actresses:
- Jeremy Irons
- Juliette Binoche
A Mirror's Reflection in the Dark
This is probably my favorite modern novel. What I love and find most disturbing is the emotional struggle that the main character (Stephen Fleming) finds himself in. As a married man, with a beautiful wife who I love immensely, and twin 18 month old boys, I can appreciate the honesty that Stephen's character portrays. Despite my obvious fortune, I too can see the power another woman can yield. The gamble in itself is intoxicating yet frightful in its consequences. Though I don't know if I would ever give in to the struggle, I can see why Stephen ultimately does. The love he has for his perfect life and family are no match for the obsession he has for Anna. This book is much more than a story of one man's betrayal. It's beauty and value lie in the detail the pages reveal of the struggle itself -- The constant back and forth which engages a mind trying to rationalize and convince itself that it can cheat betrayal's ultimate fate. Even in it's darkness, this is ultimately a love story. And despite it's tragic end, I believe that Stephen comes to find himself.
Gloomy, Erotic
"Damage" was another book I bought on a whim because it was on sale. I didn't have a clue about the plot since there wasn't a synopsis on the back and most of the reviews inside were pretty vague.
To begin with, "Damage" is a pretty small book (218 pages) with short chapters and spare writing. Most people will be able to read it in one day if you have nothing else to do.
The book is told in the first person by Stephen Fleming who is a middle-aged politician in British parliament. He leads a very safe, boring life with his beautiful wife Ingrid and two adult children, Martyn and Sally. Everything changes though when he meets his son's new girlfriend, Anna Barton, at a party. His attraction to her is immediate and overpowering. Their affair begins after a few family get-togethers when Anna calls out of the blue and they make arrangements to meet at her place.
From the beginning, you know the relationship won't go any further than the bedroom (if they make it that far), but you get swept away anyways in Stephen's loss of control and growing obsession. Anna seems to remain a mystery, however, even after she confesses the strange death of her brother, who had killed himself years ago because he couldn't have her.
The ending, of course, is tragic and depressing when Stephen and Anna's affair is discovered. The darkness of the book might be a little too much for some, but if you like gloomy, erotic novels, I highly recommend you read "Damage".
Obviously, there are some sex scenes in the book, but they're not raunchy or overly descriptive. The movie scenes, however, are much more graphic than the book's, especially if you see the unrated version of "Damage". So, if you're highly offended by incest and adultery, you probably should just skip this one.
"Damage" was made into a movie in 1992 (aka "Fatale"), starring Jeremy Irons as Stephen Fleming (who I thought was perfect for the part, especially if you've seen him in "Lolita") and Juliette Binoche as Anna Barton. Although the movie follows the same structure of the book, I still didn't think the movie was that good, despite the several other great actors and actresses (Rupert Graves, Miranda Richardson). I can't pinpoint what I didn't like about it; I just didn't care for it. I certainly wouldn't recommend the movie unless you're really into the book or a fan of one of the above actors or actresses. Stick to the book instead.
Extremely realistic
Extremely well acted, great movie. Damage is both compelling and disturbing in its realism and psychological content. The intimate scenes between Irons' and Binoche's characters are some of the few that I can actually watch without laughing--the scenes are very mature and believable, as opposed to movies that seem to pander to a goofy teenage audience. The obsessive attraction is also very believable. The first time I watched this film a couple years ago, I too felt somewhat as some critics do--that there was no reason for the obsession between the two. However, having actually been there (unfortunately), I now appreciate even more the seemingly "inexplicable" nature of obsessions. There is often no "one" reason. Just many subtle nuances and coincidental timing that happen in real life--and that Malle has portrayed in this film as beautifully and disturbingly realistic as possible.
Buy Damage at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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