Damage — Damage(Blu Ray)
From the early 1990’s Damage is a drama focusing on an affair of obsession- played out in the reserved & up-tight British upper middle class. It features a wonderful realized cast- who play out the story in (a largely) nuanced and controlled manner. The film almost plays like a very low-key, but at times taut thriller- with the discovery of the affair constant, plenty of revelations, and a prevailing feeling of both awkwardness & emotional tension. Here from Imprint is a recent Blu-Ray release of the film- with a 2k scan, and a selection of new and archive extras.
Damage is from the year 1992 and was a British/French production- filmed largely in London. It was directed by Thumeries, Nord, France-born Louis Malle. He had twenty-four feature-length credits his name, and Damage was his second to last film- as he passed in 1995. His credits range from haunting & atmospheric noir featuring a Miles Davis soundtrack Elevator To The Gallows (1958). Onto bleak character study regarding an alcoholic failed writer The Fire Within (1963), though to the darkly surreal horror of Black Moon (1975).
The film’s key focus is Dr Stephens (Jeremy Irons) a member of parliament/minister on the cusps of making it big/onto the front bench. Early on we see him being called into see the prime minister, and he is seemingly respected by both his colleagues and staff. He is married to Ingrid (Miranda Richardson)- has a twenty-something journalist son Martyn (Rupert Graves), and a late teen daughter Sally (Gemma Clarke). They live in a large London home- with their own housekeeper/ maid, and chauffeur.
One night while having drinks in the Houses Of Commons- he captures the eye of a short dark haired & black glove-wearing woman. She comes over, introducing herself as Anna (Juliette Binoche) the new girlfriend of his son Martyn. It’s clear from the off there is a strange spark between the pair- she rings his office the next day, and from here the affair takes off- with him turning up her ground-floor apartment to make awkward-wrapped-tight as a spring love.
As the affair unfolds, they carry on with the very physically focused affair- taking more & more risks. Then Martyn pops the marriage question while at the large country manor house of his grandfather Edward (Ian Bannen)- Anna accepts. And from here I’ll finish my plot outline.
Acting wise Irons is truly inspired as the awkward, tight-lipped, emotionally detached Dr Stephens. Binoche works well as totally letting her self-go with both the Dr’s reserved day-to-day manner, and his pushing & pulling lovemaking. Graves portrays wonderfully a young man trying to untangle himself from the awkwardness of his upbringing. Richardson does feel slightly underused for much of the film- though in its last quarter, she really comes into her own.
I recall seeing the posters for Damage when it first appeared at the cinema, and shortly after on the VHS sleeves. At that time, I believed it was just another one of those erotic thrillers, which were big in the 1990’s…so as a result I avoided it. Then with this release from Imprint, I thought I’d give the film a watch- and I’m so glad I did, as this far from just another cliched erotic thriller. It’s a compelling & engaging drama- that’s wonderfully acted, full of tension & awkwardness.
This recent Blu-Ray features a clean ‘n’ crisp 2k scan- and really unlike some 1990s films, it doesn’t look that dated- I think this is down to the upper-middle-class world it unfolds in- as it's rarely affected by fashions/ trends. On the extras side, we get a good enough selection of new and archive extras. On the new side, we get On Damage (15.53) which finds cultural and political historian Professor Hugo Frey discussing the film & how it relates to Louis Maller other work. He talks about the film's London locations, and how they are much the same. The film's conservative party sleaze elements, how the film went down at the time, and more. An excellent featurette. Next, we get A Early Obsession (31.11) which is an on-camera interview with the film's editor John Bloom. He talks about how he got the job on the film, his memories/ friendship with director Maller, other people he worked with on the film, etc.
On the archive side of things, we get a selection of featurettes regarding the film- taking in a making of, interviews with the cast & crew. As well as an original theatrical trailer.
In finishing I’m so glad I got to finally see and appreciate Damage for what it is. So don’t be put off by either the 90’s erotic thriller bracket or its political sleaze elements. As really & truly this is a drama about two emotionally damaged and stilted people involved in an obsession- which is wonderfully made, and excellently acted.