Review of Venus in Fur (2013) by Thomas W — 07 Aug 2014

Based on a Tony-Award winning Broadway play that is itself based on the writing of Austrian writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, director Roman Polanski (Rosemary's Baby, The Pianist) has adapted the story to modern day Paris featuring a cast of merely two.

A wet and harried actress named Vanda (Emmanuelle Seigner - La Vie en Rose) arrives late to an audition for a new stage play of Venus in Fur being directed by Thomas (Mathieu Amalric - Munich). Worn out by a day of auditions and exasperated that no actress met his ideal, Thomas doesn't want to give Vanda the time of day but she slowly convinces him to let her audition for the role for which she believes she is perfect.

Vanda surprises him as she DOES appear to be perfect for the role ... perhaps too perfect as the two discuss the subject matter in the play which Vanda apparently loathes. Turning the tables on the director, Vanda stops at nothing to get her point across as he slowly becomes obsessed with her.

Sacher-Masoch's writings brought about the term "masochism" ... so tread lightly here. Both actors do a fine job but Seigner is outstanding here as she uses her mind to become desirable while slinking about onstage.

Polanski has crafted a short and shrewd film here with quite a bit to say. The film has one setting and two actors which might bore some but it kept my interest.