10. Close My Eyes (1991)
Richard and Natalie are brother and sister who have been largely brought up in isolation of each other by separate parents. When they meet up as adults, there is a powerful sexual attraction between them that they try to ignore. Richard lands himself a big swanky job whereas Natalie flounders in boring clerical work. Things soon look up for Natalie when she catches the eye of the wealthy Sinclair who marries her - transporting her into a wealthy upper class lifestyle. Richard takes a position with a pro-environment magazine. His editor is dying of AIDs. Along the way, Richard and Natalie have given into their incestuous feelings and are having a torrid affair. Sinclair has his suspicions that Natalie is at something but will he uncover her secret taboo lover? A definite film for adults, as you can tell from the subject matter, Close My Eyes really benefits from a terrific cast - Clive Owen as Richard, Alan Rickman as Sinclair and Saskia Reeves as Natalie. The kind of edgy, uncompromising cinema that Britain does so well, Close My Eyes keeps you riveted to the screen by the dynamics of the relationships in the film. Alan Rickman is particularly strong in his role as Sinclair. Always interesting to watch as an actor, Rickman in this film takes a particularly complex character and breathes believable life into him. The film is also interesting as a snapshot of Thatcherite Britain - the rise of environmentalism, the devastating impact of AIDs and the fear it engendered. Beautifully photographed and crafted, Close My Eyes is a highly charged and provocative British film.