20 Cult British Films You Need To See Before You Die
16. Damage (1992)
Politician Stephen leads a dull but amiable life with his long term wife Ingrid. His world is blown apart by meeting his son Martyn's fiancee Anna - a troubled young woman who nevertheless starts a torrid affair with Stephen. In the grip of a sexual obsession, Stephen cannot extricate himself from Anna's erotic web and the scheming little cow plots both Stephen's and his son's respective downfalls. If you are a Jeremy Irons' fan, Damage will give you ample opportunity to leer at his naked form - he spends most of the film in the buff. The same goes with Juliette Binoche who plays the enigmatic Anna in a very ambiguous fashion. Yes she is very attractive but it is hard fathom just why and how Stephen is so enamoured of her and betrayed his own son in one of the worst ways possible. Miranda Richardson is also in fine form as Ingrid, the spurned wife and grieving mother - her peaceful bourgeoise existence shattered in the most ghastly fashion. And the fate of Martyn is tragic and futile. Directed by the great Louis Malle, Damage is a masterpiece of erotic obsession.
My first film watched was Carrie aged 2 on my dad's knee. Educated at The University of St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin. Fan of Arthouse, Exploitation, Horror, Euro Trash, Giallo, New French Extremism. Weaned at the bosom of a Russ Meyer starlet. The bleaker, artier or sleazier the better!
