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9

LamontRaymondJan 24, 2015

After having been disappointed by this director's Berberian Sound Studio, I went into The Duke of Burgundy with modest expectations. Though it does have it's unusual Berberian focus on sound and an odd fixation on all things moth/butterfly,After having been disappointed by this director's Berberian Sound Studio, I went into The Duke of Burgundy with modest expectations. Though it does have it's unusual Berberian focus on sound and an odd fixation on all things moth/butterfly, it's an excellent film. The lead actress is amazing - who said there are no great/sexy roles for women in their 40's? Without spoiling anything, this highly specialized/unique relationship has MUCH to say about the inequities and shortcomings of traditional relationships, but it does so in a really funny and charged way.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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9

ProteusFeb 9, 2015

A strong clear well made love story and a unique love story like all of them are. This is another one. It has emotional authenticity which is rare and difficult to achieve in a totally original relationship. Go see it.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

Mancunian2014Mar 4, 2015

Visually fascinating and emotionally mature. Probably the most of any film in the last decade. Despite the bizarre and completely unbelievable setting for Duke of Burgundy, one can imagine themselves in a relationship with different powerVisually fascinating and emotionally mature. Probably the most of any film in the last decade. Despite the bizarre and completely unbelievable setting for Duke of Burgundy, one can imagine themselves in a relationship with different power dynamics where it is not always evident who is in control and who is more vulnerable. Such is the case with professor Cynthia and student Evelyn. The power dynamic is not what it seems. The outrageously rehearsed, and mildly comical, "BDSM" routine these two women do is only made more entertainingly puzzling by eccentric background characters. All the characters are colourful and flutter about in accordance with the metaphor of the butterfly designated to the movie.… Expand

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8

DRauchDoes2015Apr 25, 2015

A lush, slow-burn erotic art film, The Duke of Burgundy is a hauntingly gorgeous, emotionally astute (if not exactly insightful) drama, one that solidifies Peter Strickland's place at the head of the new wave of British auteurs. His filmA lush, slow-burn erotic art film, The Duke of Burgundy is a hauntingly gorgeous, emotionally astute (if not exactly insightful) drama, one that solidifies Peter Strickland's place at the head of the new wave of British auteurs. His film seeps with hypnotic imagery, complimented by a pulsating, seductive score from Cat's Eyes (Strickland's replacement composer after the unfortunate death of electronic veteran Broadcast). The pacing is intentional, teasingly so, and Strickland's vintage, yet modernly sensible aesthetic is on display in it's fully realized prowess. None of this would've come across as anything more than a respectable exercise in pretentious experimentalism, however, had we not been graced by two absolutely revelatory performances from Knudsen and D'Anna. Their understated dynamic is what sells The Duke of Burgundy and what prevents it's accomplished cinematic technique from dwarfing it's thematic focus.

The most unforeseen pleasantry of The Duke of Burgundy is actually how funny it is, laugh out loud, at times. The humor is often amplified by just how muted the delivery is. The lead characters' intimate interactions are sometimes interrupted or sabotaged by mundane circumstance, often to hilarious effect. Such a scene as Evelyn urging a disgruntled Cynthia to urinate on her behind a closed door is a high-note worth mention that, in spite of sounding crude on paper, is tastefully gut-busting. Strickland, in spite of wholly committing to an approach that fluctuates between dreamy abstraction and solemn directness, never takes his material too seriously. This is a BDSM film in essence, but one pitched so perfectly that it dodges exploitation and surface-level titillation entirely, whilst not stifling indulgence in it's sensual backdrop.

The metaphorical cinematography, though occasionally obscure and isolated, generates a consistent mood of intrigue from start to finish. Though some visual cues lead to the occasional rabbit's hole, Strickland comes through for the most part and makes a movie that is discernible, yet challenging enough to warrant retrospection. From the (I swear it's in there) fuzzed-out mannequin seated in the crowd of female observers, to the ongoing display of taxidermic moths, to the numerous angles shot into mirrors, to the puzzling blur in the central relationship when the two alternate between the bedroom and reality, etc. The Duke of Burgundy is accomplished enough as an art film to the point where an air of pretentiousness is for the most part absent throughout.

Every moment is exuberantly executed by playing off of a tension of expectation. Many of the scenes don't rotate around a central mechanism of conflict. Rather, they all build to a potent, singular atmosphere that makes the most mundane interaction captivating. Though in a more wholesome sense there isn't any primary issue driving the narrative, the subtlety of the storytelling and sheer command of tone throughout makes the story feel somehow universal, and always intentional. The slick polish of the film would leave me feeling cold, but damn, do Knudsen and D'Anna manage to captivate. There is a genuine emotional undercurrent running through every second of screen time they have together, and for a story such as this, it's a testament to their incredible nuance as well as their willingness to tackle dauntingly revealing subject matter. Their romance is an alien one, true, but nonetheless believable.

There is also a commendable, and at times bizarre, subversion of societal expectations relating to gender and sexual orientation. Strickland's film is very modern in that it doesn't bat an eye at the homosexual relationship at the center of this story. It is eerie, though equally laudable, that his film also contains nary a single male character. In an age where female roles are either secondary or lackluster, here we have a cinematic universe ripe with femininity in all it's splendor. Whether this is simply unintentional or another brilliant cue from Strickland that adds to the feeling of fantasy, kudos. It's a film of entirely positive female characters, and one that humbly (or even non-existantly) asserts it's matriarchal overtones.

There comes a movie every so often that breaths fresh life into archetypes of cinema, and I'm proud to announce that The Duke of Burgundy is the first great film of 2015, and the best movie on the subject of Sadomasochism I've ever seen (sorry, Secretary). Definitely give this one a watch, it's a challenging, sublimely beautiful film.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

nicholasbertOct 8, 2015

I get it: the emotional and erotic tensions are supposed to be building up and up, corroborated by kinky imagery and the general sense of weirdness. But the cut here is too clean and the acting too theatrical, the whole film becomes heavy onI get it: the emotional and erotic tensions are supposed to be building up and up, corroborated by kinky imagery and the general sense of weirdness. But the cut here is too clean and the acting too theatrical, the whole film becomes heavy on the eyes after a while. Like with Berberian Sound Studio, the intentions are all good, it's the realisation that lacks vigour and will, for some people, result in instant boredom. In other words, it's impossible to watch The Duke of Burgundy without being carefully and tightly pointed in the direction that screams at you: "Look how artsy this is. Look how shot composition is handled. Look how good we look." Rather than letting the viewer arrive at this conclusion on their own, the movie is much too keen to lead you to it. Besides, some of the weirdness here (like the temporal setting, or the thing with the butterflies) is unjustified and adds nothing to the viewing experience.

I would much rather see The Duke of Burgundy as a play, in a theatre: it's its natural environment, where acting like this really pays off, and you can be as lengthy and as reflective as you wish. As a film, it doesn't give much of a reason to keep watching it. Still better than superhero explosion galore, though, so I guess it still classifies for being one of the "good" films of 2015, if you're into it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

ashraf3812Apr 27, 2015

One of the great unconventional movies about love. The director and the two actresses did great work creating a movie like a dream. It evokes a rare raw sense that can't be describes as to be felt. It may look like a steamy erotic movie, butOne of the great unconventional movies about love. The director and the two actresses did great work creating a movie like a dream. It evokes a rare raw sense that can't be describes as to be felt. It may look like a steamy erotic movie, but at its core it's really about love, sharing and to what extent we can go for your partner. I think that couples can reflect upon their relationships when watching this. A real visceral experience.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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2

dpredragOct 19, 2015

With its constant slow zooms, abstract trippy sequences, double exposures, soft porn cliches, bad acting and mannequins among the lecture audience, one wonders how much of this is intentional stylistic quote. After the watching, this seemsWith its constant slow zooms, abstract trippy sequences, double exposures, soft porn cliches, bad acting and mannequins among the lecture audience, one wonders how much of this is intentional stylistic quote. After the watching, this seems the biggest compliment one can make to this sad mess: it so lovingly emulated trash, that it become it. No amount of symbolism laid over thin connections with butterflies will help the horrible aftertaste of actual watching this movie. I'd rather count the trivial symbolism into another successful tribute to the soft porn genre of the '70 this movie so well imitates.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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0

xXAlways_RiteXxMar 27, 2015

In my opinon, this is one of the most incisive, penetrating, and empathetic films ever made about what it truly means to love another person, audaciously disguised as salacious midnight-movie fare. No better picture is likely to surface all year.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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10

EdgarReviewsJun 27, 2015

Evocative and provocative, The Duke of Burgundy is an astounding work of art; Strickland takes an intriguing plot and masterfully weaves it into a gem filled with a fine mixture of uncanny eroticism and unexpected sadness. One of 2015's bestEvocative and provocative, The Duke of Burgundy is an astounding work of art; Strickland takes an intriguing plot and masterfully weaves it into a gem filled with a fine mixture of uncanny eroticism and unexpected sadness. One of 2015's best films so far, and one of the best films I've ever seen about love.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

thaiinmeNov 22, 2015

I really enjoy watching this movie the twist and turns I had to watch it more than once to realize who was really the dominate one in the relationship. I love both of the characters especially the one played by Knudsen she just exudes theI really enjoy watching this movie the twist and turns I had to watch it more than once to realize who was really the dominate one in the relationship. I love both of the characters especially the one played by Knudsen she just exudes the sexual sensuality I haven't seen in a long time. I can just breathe her in and yes she does make women in their 40's so sexually inviting. The movie remain in my mind the following giving me goose bumps and made me smile and think of my own lover who I take for granted. Strickland has great vision very thought provoking artsy sexually exotic movie without being vulgar.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

listenerDec 3, 2015

Peter Strickland (Katalin Varga,Berberian Sound Studio) is probably the first director in history who somehow managed to make a deeply erotic movie without single shot of nudity.Cast is remarkable,performance of Sidse Babett Knudsen (AfterPeter Strickland (Katalin Varga,Berberian Sound Studio) is probably the first director in history who somehow managed to make a deeply erotic movie without single shot of nudity.Cast is remarkable,performance of Sidse Babett Knudsen (After the Wedding,Borgen) flawless and joy to watch.Movie of the year as far as I'm concerned.… Expand