Eros (2004)

NTSC/Region 0. NTSC/Region 0. Three visionary directors. One erotic journey. Eros is not only an anthology of three medium length films on the subject of eroticism and desire, but also a salute to the most admired and inspiring director's Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, Erin Brockovich,) Wong Kar Wai (In the Mood for Love, 2046, Chungking Express, ) and Michelangelo Antonioni (Blow-Up.) A three-part anthology film about love and sexuality: a menage-a-trois between a couple and a young woman on the coast of Tuscany; an advertising executive under enormous pressure at work, who, during visits to his psychiatrist, is pulled to delve into the possible reasons why his stress seems to manifest itself in a recurring erotic dream; and a story of unrequited love about a beautiful, 1960s high-end call girl in an impossible affair with her young tailor. We can see three different and unique approaches to the theme, Wong's wit a richly textured and achingly emotional erotic tale; Soderbergh with a wry and perverse comedy to find out the real desire by the comparison of reality and dreams; and Antonioni with his philosophical meditation on the abyss between men and women. Silver Ken. 2005. Album Description

Three international directors explore meaning of sexual attraction

Three international directors have made short film exploring nature of the human sexuality. First story is set in China and explores connection between a concubine and a young tailor apprentice who makes her dresses for her clients. Young tailor falls in love hopelessly with a beautiful prostitute. He knows her body so well, he can make her clothes without taking her measurements. I loved the part where is is alone in a shop one evening and imagines having her while caressing her silk dress he made for her. I have never seen a film recently about a man so consumed by his desire for a woman he cannot have. Second film written and produced by Steven Soderbeg starring Alan Arkin and Robet Downey, Jr. is the best of of the three. It explores young marketing executive with a recurring erotic dream he cannot explain, who visits his shrink in attempt to undersatndf them. The shrink seems to have preoccupations of his own during their therapy session. Both actors give magnificent performance that is funny and engaging. Setup for their dialog is in 1950s so this part of the film is made in black and white that adds even more power to it. The weekest part of the trilogy is the Italian film that supposedly celebrates female sexuality. But I found nude scenes and lovemaking scenes, scenes of lovers bickering privately and publicly too tedious to be able to celebrate what director wanted us to see. Perhaps in his case, less would have been more. Good idea, but poor execution. But overall, what this film is saying is that there is no confusion, no matter which part of the world we are what eros is. August 4, 2008

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