9 SONGS
Possible the first pornographic 'date movie' that lacks the hardcore edge guys expect but does take mainstream ADULT movies to the next level - REAL sex!
3 stars [(2004)UK/2005 USA release/Not rated - ADULTS ONLY] - (69 min.)
USA distrib: Tartan USA
Written & directed by Michael Winterbottom
Characters/Cast
Matt - Kieran O'Brian
Lisa - Margo Stilley
Review:
How does a modern man recall his last 'love' relationship? In this case, by the songs they shared together. The man in question is a glaciologist who's airborne research over Antarctica spurs a chronological series of memories broken up by nine LIVE concert segments. To sum up the simplistic plotline of the flashbacks, the two young lovers meet at a rock concert and then each major sex scene at their Islington flat is punctuated with brief concert segments (shot guerrilla-style with the couple in attendance).
Director Michael Winterbottom ("24 Hour Party People") has actually done Hollywood (and Planned Parenthood) a service by taking out the 'fake' lovemaking scenes audiences have grown accustomed to and replaced them with REAL sex, actual condoms IN USE, and a female (or male) orgasm that hasn't been staged for dramatic effect.
Seriously, the porn industry should take note if this film has any commercial success in the USA, because for my money I'd rather have my human sexuality nicely photographed, lit well, and true-to-life than filled with emotionally forced bad acting, flat lighting, and fake orgasms (with even faker breasts). Name one porn movie with fantastic helicopter shots of Antarctica's icy surface with a science lesson tossed in too. Nada.
Best of all are the honest, first-rate acting performances from both Brit acting veteran Kieran O'Brian ("24 Hour Party People") as 'Matt', the very lucky older guy (age 31), and 'Lisa' (Margo Stilley), the young American waif, who gets picked up at a rock concert one night at London's Brixton Academy.
In England, where this film has already been released there was quite a brouhaha as first-time movie actress Margo Stilley (age 21) supposedly tried to have her name removed from the credits. Luckily, the scathing reviews by the British press have worn off and the film is being released in the USA with Margo credited and NO NC-17 rating.
Although a first-time principle actress, Margo's performance is noteworthy in that her improvised dialogue not only rings true but it speaks to the neuroses of many young 'wild' females way beyond the Paris Hilton experience. She even creates a little comic relief when confronting her 'boyness' in the bathroom mirror.
In retrospect, I don't think this film has the artistic merit of last year's ode to eroticism (Bertolucci's "The Dreamers"), but director Michael Winterbottom does make a compelling argument for taking sex scenes to their natural conclusion.
Adult audiences are gravitating more and more to NC-17 rated movies (re: "The Brown Bunny," etc.) and it may be time for local cinemas (and Hollywood) to grow up. Hey, if Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt really are 'real-life' lovers then why couldn't they have 'condom sex' on screen for a change, and how much more of an impact would that have on college-age adults practicing 'unsafe' sex than thousands of hours of PSA's and "sex-ed" classes!
Even if sex on the big screen isn't your thing, this film is so pure in its intentions it's practically a 'date movie' (except "blind dates"). Even the ladies will enjoy the sensitive approach to the material as the sexual exploits build from cunnilingus to some mild S&M, eventually progressing to the de rigeur 'cum shot'.
As I said, it's an ADULTS ONLY experience, but one that might rekindle the sexual romance in your own relationships and give you a forum to converse with your partner about a sensitive subject (in America anyway).
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SOUNDTRACK INFO from IMDb.com (source and LIVE noted)
Please note that songs listed here (and in the movie credits) cannot always be found on CD soundtracks. Please check CD track details for confirmation.
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"Whatever Happened To My Rock and Roll" (Live/SONG #1)
Performed by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Peter Hayes, Robert Turner, Nick Jago) Composed by Peter Hayes / Robert Been / Nicholas Jago
Copyright BRMC Music / WB Music Corp by kind permission of Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of Virgin Records Limited / Virgin Records America, Inc
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"C'mon C'mon" (Live/SONG #2)
Performed by The Von Bondies (Don Blum, Marcie Bolan, Carrie Smith, Jason Stollsteimer) Composed by Jason Stollsteimer
Published by In The Act Music Publishing Ltd / Courtesy of Warner Bros Records Inc
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"Debbie"
Written and Performed by Michael Nyman
Published by Michael Nyman Limited / Chester Music Ltd
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd
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"Madan" (Exotic Disco Mix)
Performed by Salif Keita
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd
Courtesy of Universal Records Ltd, / Licensed by kind permission from the Film & TV Licensing Division, part of the Universal Music Group
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"Fallen Angel" (Live/SONG #3)
Performed by Elbow (Guy Garvey, Richard Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter, Peter Turner) Composed by Guy Garvey / Mark Potter / Craig Potter / Peter Turner / Richard Jupp
Copyright Salvation Music / By kind permission of Warner / Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of V2 Music Ltd
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"Michael" (Live)
Performed by Franz Ferdinand (Robert Hardy, Alexander Kapranos, Nicholas McCarthy, Paul Thomson) Composed by Kapranos / McCarthy
Used by kind permission of Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Courtesy of Domino Recording Company Ltd -------------------------------------------------
"Movin' On Up" (Live/SONG #4)
Performed by Primal Scream (Martin Duffy, Bobby Gillespie, Andrew Innes, Gary Mounfield, Robert Young) Composed by Bobby Gillespie / Robert Young / Andrew Innes
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd / Complete Music Ltd
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd
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"Sola" & "Platform"
Solo piano Composed and Performed by Melissa Parmenter
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"The Last High" (Live/SONG #5)
Performed by The Dandy Warhols (Brent Deboer, Peter Holstrom, Zia Mccabe, Courtney Taylor Taylor) Words & Music by Evan Dando and Aourtney A. Taylor
Copyright 2003 Published by Chrysalis Music Ltd / Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film and Television Music Ltd
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"Horse Tears"
Performed by Goldfrapp / Composed by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory
Copyright Warner / Chappell Music Publishing Ltd / By kind permission of WWarner/Chappell Music Ltd / Courtesy of Mute Records Ltd
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"Slow Life" (Live/SONG #6)
Performed by Super Furry Animals (Huw Bunford, Cian Ciaran, Dafydd Ieuan, Guto Pryce, Gruff Rhys) Composed by Huw Bunford / Cian Ciaran / Dafydd Ieuan / Guto Pryce / Gruff Rhys
Used by kind permission of Universal Music Publishing Ltd / Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd
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"I've Got Your Number"
Performed by Elbow - Composed by Guy Garvey / Mark Potter / Craig Potter / Peter Turner / Richard Jupp
Copyright Salvation Music / By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd / Courtesy of V2 Music Ltd
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"Jacqueline" (Live/SONG #7)
Performed by Franz Ferdinand (Robert Hardy, Alexander Kapranos, Nicholas McCarthy, Paul Thomson) Composed by Kapranos / McCarthy / Hardy
Used by kind permission of Universal Music Publishing Ltd / Courtesy of Domino Recording Company Ltd
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"Nadia" (Live/SONG #8)
Written and Performed by Michael Nyman
Published by Michael Nyman Ltd / Chester Music Ltd / Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd
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"Love Burns" (Live/SONG #9)
Performed by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Peter Hayes, Nick Jago, Robert Turner) Composed by Peter Hayes / Robert Been / Nicholas Jago
Copyright BRMC Music/WB Music Corp / By kind permission of Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of Virgin Records Limited / Virgin Records America, Inc
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