French director Max Pecas, cut from the same cloth as other filmmakers like Radley Metzger, Joe Sarno, and to a lesser degree, Just Jaeckin and Jess Franco, has created an exquisitely lensed and dreamlike tale of a beautiful young woman who finds her own libido out of control. The low rating on sites like this only prove that the system is highly inaccurate, because obviously certiain films are only ever seen by the wrong audience. Those looking for a well told, linear tale with a strong story arc, are likely going to rate a film like this lower. There is a story here, with a fine dramatic arc, but it all takes a back seat to the lush visuals. Because at it's core, this IS erotica, and that is not going to appeal to mainstream tastes. At the heart of "Je suis une nymphomane" are the scenes of sexual coupling and nudity, all of which are surprisingly tasteful, and even "chaste.." The heroine of this sexual tale, Sandra Julien, is a classic beauty, and her fascinating, innocent portrayal of the young woman lost in her mental illness, carries the film with competence and class. Rather than playing the part of Carol as a one dimensional sex kitten, she chooses to give the character real emotions, displaying her confusion and genuine pain, fear and shameful disgust over her situation. Her scenes with the Priest are among the most effective and beautiful; those outdoor shots of the two figures, walking among the church grounds with the rays of natural sunlight streaming through the trees..this director knows his craft well. In fact every frame of this movie is gorgeous, expertly photographed, with flawlessly lit, richly decorated interior shots, with a lot of oil paintings and flowers in vases always seen in the pastel colored background...Highly recommended for fans of 1970's softcore films, this one stands out as one of the best.
Review of Libido: The Urge to Love
