Review of Adoration (2013) by Michael H — 06 Sep 2013

This is not only a visually beautiful movie, but also an incisive study of human love and sexual behavior. There are four richly developed characters. For each, the movie subtly limns a distinct path to their later critical decisions and actions. The relationship between the two women is particularly interesting and well developed, in part because of the strong performances by Watts and Wright. Watts's ability to play convincingly both relatively weak and vulnerable characters, as Lil in this movie, and strong characters, like her role in The Impossible, is particularly impressive. Her versatility, evident from the time of her great performance in Mulholland Drive, help make her one of the top actresses working today. She is perfect here. Wright fits her character as well, though her accent sometime lapses.

The plot should be fully believable to sensitive, non-prurient viewers who can get beyond the need to condemn those who depart a bit from social norms. Xavier Samuel's character of course has been scarred by the death of his father and looks to Roz as a surrogate. Roz is in love with Lil, but is not a homosexual.The relationship with her son keeps her close and fulfills sexual needs. All of these characters' fulfillment of their needs is not "trashy," but rather moving. Ultimately, there will be tragedy for them, as for all of us. But the movie presents the beauty of life as well as its tragedy.

I think it is sad when intelligent people, though claiming to be tolerant, are too blinded by social norms to appreciate a beautiful, subtle movie like this. A similar description as "trashy" unfortunately was once given to any movie that displayed homosexuality as natural and understandable.