This cutting edge and sometimes controversial director/writer Neil LaBute has stayed true to form with his intermittently cruel and quite realistic new film "Some Velvet Morning." The realistic conversation with the cynical and chauvinistic male lead and the submissive female is almost reminiscent of a David Mamet play in style. It was not always pretty or comfortable to watch, but this seems to be LaBute's signature.
Fred (Tucci) arrived unexpectedly at the home of his former lover/prostitute, Velvet, after a 4 year hiatus. It appeared that Fred had the notion of moving back into Velvet's home. The two had a sordid past as they struggled to find a place of comfort within their relationship. Can a love once gone wrong be turned around?
From the moment Tucci's character, Fred, is on the scene, tension and apprehension are in the air. Fred, with suitcases in hand, waits impatiently at the door of his former lover/hired prostitute. As Velvet opens the door, more than the look of surprise crosses her face. Is it fear? Trepidation? Excitement? Fred is then reluctantly let in with Velvet expressing her desire to leave for an appointment soon. The two move from room to room, as Fred shares more from his life and what has happened in the last four years. The push and pull these two have on each other is from a very unhealthy past relationship.
It was difficult and stressful to watch this rather fast-paced and rigorous verbal workout. The intensity with each and every scene was continually amplified until I truly wanted to leave. But I didn't and I'm so glad that I didn't!
This 2-person film could have been a play on a stage. The film took place in a few different rooms of a beautiful townhouse in NYC. The entire film was a conversation between Tucci and Eve's characters. It felt as if you were following them from room to room and sitting in a corner chair as the scene unfolded before you. Stanley Tucci showed that he can be quite brilliant as the egotistical, control freak who forces his views and opinions onto those around him. He also seemed like a lost soul at one moment and then an uncaring bastard in the next. Alice Eve was equally extraordinary. She pulled you into her character and situation. Even though you couldn't relate to her chosen profession, you still cared about her. You identified with her as a female. She, too, was simply brilliant in her role.
"Some Velvet Morning" was about an unbalanced relationship that tipped way too far in one direction. It took a harsh look at one of the oldest professions in the world: prostitution. No matter if it's a street corner or a penthouse apartment, it's still prostitution. It was also a relentless examination into how women value themselves and allow others to dictate their worth. This movie kept me glued to the screen, but it also made me incensed. The emotional roller coaster ride was almost more than this merry-go-round rider could handle. But with every roller coaster ride, it does eventually end (but you better hold on tight)!
Fred (Tucci) arrived unexpectedly at the home of his former lover/prostitute, Velvet, after a 4 year hiatus. It appeared that Fred had the notion of moving back into Velvet's home. The two had a sordid past as they struggled to find a place of comfort within their relationship. Can a love once gone wrong be turned around?
From the moment Tucci's character, Fred, is on the scene, tension and apprehension are in the air. Fred, with suitcases in hand, waits impatiently at the door of his former lover/hired prostitute. As Velvet opens the door, more than the look of surprise crosses her face. Is it fear? Trepidation? Excitement? Fred is then reluctantly let in with Velvet expressing her desire to leave for an appointment soon. The two move from room to room, as Fred shares more from his life and what has happened in the last four years. The push and pull these two have on each other is from a very unhealthy past relationship.
It was difficult and stressful to watch this rather fast-paced and rigorous verbal workout. The intensity with each and every scene was continually amplified until I truly wanted to leave. But I didn't and I'm so glad that I didn't!
This 2-person film could have been a play on a stage. The film took place in a few different rooms of a beautiful townhouse in NYC. The entire film was a conversation between Tucci and Eve's characters. It felt as if you were following them from room to room and sitting in a corner chair as the scene unfolded before you. Stanley Tucci showed that he can be quite brilliant as the egotistical, control freak who forces his views and opinions onto those around him. He also seemed like a lost soul at one moment and then an uncaring bastard in the next. Alice Eve was equally extraordinary. She pulled you into her character and situation. Even though you couldn't relate to her chosen profession, you still cared about her. You identified with her as a female. She, too, was simply brilliant in her role.
"Some Velvet Morning" was about an unbalanced relationship that tipped way too far in one direction. It took a harsh look at one of the oldest professions in the world: prostitution. No matter if it's a street corner or a penthouse apartment, it's still prostitution. It was also a relentless examination into how women value themselves and allow others to dictate their worth. This movie kept me glued to the screen, but it also made me incensed. The emotional roller coaster ride was almost more than this merry-go-round rider could handle. But with every roller coaster ride, it does eventually end (but you better hold on tight)!