The Five Senses (1999)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Jeremy Podeswa

Writer:

Jeremy Podeswa (written by)

Release Date:

3 December 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses. -- Oscar Wilde

Plot:

Interconnected stories examine situations involving the five senses. Touch is represented by a massage therapist who is treating a woman...

Plot Keywords:

Cake | House Cleaner | Italian | Voyeur | Sex

Awards:

4 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Molly Parker	...	Anna Miller
Gabrielle Rose	...	Ruth Seraph
Elize Frances Stolk	...	Amy Lee Miller
Nadia Litz	...	Rachel Seraph
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Rona
Daniel MacIvor	...	Robert
Philippe Volter	...	Dr. Richard Jacob
Clinton Walker	...	Carl
Astrid Van Wieren	...	Richard's Patient
Brendan Fletcher	...	Rupert
Paul Bettis	...	Richard's Doctor
James Allodi	...	Justin
Gavin Crawford	...	Airport Clerk
Sandi Stahlbrand	...	TV Reporter #1
Amanda Soha	...	Sylvie

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

Argentina:106 min | USA:106 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

French | English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:16 | Taiwan:R-12 | Australia:M | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Italy:T

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Quotes:

Robert: [about a new cologne he has just received as a gift] It smells like love.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Past Perfect (2002)

Soundtrack:

O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM

A film about connections

Chosen as the film to start the Perspective Canada series for the 1999 Toronto Film Festival, "The Five Senses" explores numerous lives in turmoil that are also intertwined in many ways.

Shot in Toronto, the story revolves around the disappearance of a little girl and how it affects the lives of those who knew her and those who feel responsible. More predominantly though, I believe it is about the bonds that are forged from one person to another in a variety of relationships and the strains that can test them. From friends old and new, parent to child, employer to employee, client to vendor, lovers past and present. All of these associations undergo a transformation of some kind in this film.

The film is beautifully shot with interesting set-ups but is not edited evenly throughout the feature. Scenes with Molly Parker and Mary Louise Parker are tightly edited and executed nicely, while some other scenes just seem to be drawn out a bit too much, the pace is a slow one, with numerous subplots that attempt to liven the drama.

But for art's sake and support of Canadian filmmaking, I would prefer not to draw negative attention to this film. There are some very moving scenes and excellent performances, but at the same time, I'm not sure I can recommend this one to just anyone.