Two attractive, but struggling young women meet. One is stronger than the other and opts to 'educate' her. Together they decide to use their combined forces and their sexuality to achieve ...
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Michel, a retired math teacher, has lived alone since his wife's death & occupies his time writing an essay about the beliefs that shape daily life. One day he comes across Dora, a young ... See full summary »
Director:
Jean-Claude Brisseau
Stars:
Virginie Legeay,
Claude Morel,
Lise Bellynck
A young single mother drops her son of at the bus stop to visit his dad in Paris. After being late for work, she almost gets fired. At the end of her duties she gets into a tricky situation which she handles, with the advice her colleague gave her.
Director:
Sergej Moya
Stars:
Saralisa Volm,
Clemens Schick,
Jan-Gregor Kremp
Coming of age. In Buenos Aires, Eloy is on the verge of manhood. He studies physics, helps with the family headstone business, and does advertising - handing out flyers while walking on ... See full summary »
Director:
Eliseo Subiela
Stars:
Antonella Costa,
Leandro Stivelman,
Hugo Arana
One day at a colleague's going away party, Anna meets Domenico, a virile, slightly older chap who's married with two small kids. Passion's flames are rapidly kindled and result in steamy encounters.
Director:
Silvio Soldini
Stars:
Alba Rohrwacher,
Pierfrancesco Favino,
Teresa Saponangelo
At 22, Céline receives several shocks: her father dies and she learns she was adopted; she rejects her inheritance, so her fiancé jilts her. She's suicidal. A nurse sees her weeping in ... See full summary »
Director:
Jean-Claude Brisseau
Stars:
Isabelle Pasco,
María Luisa García,
Danièle Lebrun
Angela an illegal immigrant living in Los Angeles stumbles across Bill, a disgraced banker on the run.Through sex, conversation ranging from politics to philosophy, and other worldly pleasures, Angela introduces Bill to another worldview.
Director:
Philippe Diaz
Stars:
Keller Wortham,
Shari Solanis,
Luis Fernandez-Gil
A saintly woman, Clara, guides three recent acquaintances in a journey of self-discovery with the help of Tonton, an elder man who has reached an enhanced state of connection with the universe.
Director:
Jean-Claude Brisseau
Stars:
Isabelle Prim,
Fabienne Babe,
Anna Sigalevitch
In a social context deteriorated by a countrywide economic crisis, the life of several people will be turned upside down after they meet Cecile, a character who symbolizes desire.
A deadly car crash sets off three parallel stories of women at crisis points, faltering behind the doors of the same, plain Vienna apartment block. A bored nurse with a stable, comfortable ... See full summary »
Two attractive, but struggling young women meet. One is stronger than the other and opts to 'educate' her. Together they decide to use their combined forces and their sexuality to achieve success. They intend on manipulating men to do it. It's more than a means to an end. They're doing it for the pure fun of it.Written by
Anthony J. Langford
Chosen by "Les Cahiers du cinéma" (France) as one of the 10 best pictures of 2002 (#01, with "Ten") See more »
Goofs
The end of the movie is supposed to take place after Nathalie is released from prison, several years after the main plot takes place. Yet the movies advertised on the advertisement pillar in the background (See Spot Run, Town & Country) were released in France around the same weeks as the movies referenced in the main plot's time frame (Sleepwalker etc.). See more »
Quotes
Nathalie:
What's stopping you?
Sandrine:
You're nuts, I'd never dare.
Nathalie:
Are you drunk?
Sandrine:
No.
[giggle]
Sandrine:
No, I feel fine.
Nathalie:
Then let's play a little game.
Sandrine:
What game.
Nathalie:
Daring. Daring to cross that forbidden think line that your friends will never cross. That will get you off.
Sandrine:
[narrating]
I wanted to get out of there fast.
[...] See more »
A film about manipulative, mean-spirited and, at times, downright nasty people - and I absolutely loved it.
It's so refreshing to see a truly adult film these days. Not to mention, a film that doesn't just say it is erotic, it goes ahead and proves it. This is not a film for prudes, for those who are easily offended. But for adults who are willing to see some frank discussion about sex and some deliciously devious sexual politics, this film provides wonderful entertainment.
"Choses secrètes" is enormously entertaining with two thoroughly captivating leads. Sabrina Seyvecou, who turns in a spellbinding performance, has a sort of Heather Grahamish innocence and sexiness to her and, along with Coralie Revel, provides some of the most titillating scenes seen in a mainstream movie in many years.
There really aren't any good/wholesome characters in this film. But that's OK. (I suppose Cadene qualifies as a nice chap, but he's a minor character.) Because the cunning of the two women is so absolutely engrossing that you're quickly drawn into their wicked world. Watching them use people for their own ends and not quite knowing who is manipulating whom is one of the many charms of this sensual and exciting film.
The film comes apart toward the end. Unravels a bit, especially when writer/director Jean-Claude Brisseau resorts to awfully heavy-handed (and needless) symbolism. There's also a superfluous orgy scene that comes out of nowhere. I wish Brisseau would have come up with an original, atypical, less conventional denouement for his story.
If you like the works of Neil LaBute - "The Shape of Things," "Your Friends and Neighbors" and "In the Company of Men" - you should appreciate and enjoy "Choses secrètes."
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A film about manipulative, mean-spirited and, at times, downright nasty people - and I absolutely loved it.
It's so refreshing to see a truly adult film these days. Not to mention, a film that doesn't just say it is erotic, it goes ahead and proves it. This is not a film for prudes, for those who are easily offended. But for adults who are willing to see some frank discussion about sex and some deliciously devious sexual politics, this film provides wonderful entertainment.
"Choses secrètes" is enormously entertaining with two thoroughly captivating leads. Sabrina Seyvecou, who turns in a spellbinding performance, has a sort of Heather Grahamish innocence and sexiness to her and, along with Coralie Revel, provides some of the most titillating scenes seen in a mainstream movie in many years.
There really aren't any good/wholesome characters in this film. But that's OK. (I suppose Cadene qualifies as a nice chap, but he's a minor character.) Because the cunning of the two women is so absolutely engrossing that you're quickly drawn into their wicked world. Watching them use people for their own ends and not quite knowing who is manipulating whom is one of the many charms of this sensual and exciting film.
The film comes apart toward the end. Unravels a bit, especially when writer/director Jean-Claude Brisseau resorts to awfully heavy-handed (and needless) symbolism. There's also a superfluous orgy scene that comes out of nowhere. I wish Brisseau would have come up with an original, atypical, less conventional denouement for his story.
If you like the works of Neil LaBute - "The Shape of Things," "Your Friends and Neighbors" and "In the Company of Men" - you should appreciate and enjoy "Choses secrètes."