Damage
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Damage
Damage (1992) is a British-French psychological drama film that delves into the destructive consequences of an illicit affair. Directed by Louis Malle, the movie centers on Stephen Fleming, a prominent British politician, whose life unravels after he begins a passionate and obsessive sexual relationship with Anna Barton, his son Martyn's fiancée. The narrative explores themes of forbidden desire, betrayal, and the profound emotional and familial ruin that results from unchecked passion. The film is known for its intense romantic and sexual content, contributing to its R rating. It targets a mature audience, presenting a cautionary tale about infidelity and its devastating impact on all involved, without explicit glorification of the affair itself.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film contains significant thematic and accidental violence, culminating in a tragic death and scenes of self-harm, underscoring the destructive nature of the affair. While not graphically gory, the depicted violence has severe emotional impact.
1. Martyn Fleming dies after falling over a stair railing when he accidentally discovers his father, Stephen, having sex with his fiancée, Anna. This is a pivotal and tragic event directly resulting from the illicit affair. 2. Stephen's wife, Ingrid, engages in self-harm, depicted by cutting herself, in a moment of extreme anguish after learning about her son's death and her husband's betrayal.
Romance and Sexual Content
The movie features explicit and intense sexual content, including frequent depictions of intercourse and nudity, as the central focus of the plot. The affair is portrayed as obsessive and animalistic, dominating the characters' actions and driving the tragic narrative.
Scary & Intense Content
The film is intensely psychological, building suspense and emotional distress through its exploration of forbidden desire, betrayal, and the unraveling of lives. The tragic climax involving death and profound grief contributes to its high intensity.
Disrespect & Rebellion
Disrespect and rebellion are central themes, manifested through profound marital infidelity and betrayal of familial trust. The main characters defy societal norms and moral obligations, leading to destructive outcomes.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Not recommended for viewers under 18 due to pervasive strong sexual content, brief nudity, intense mature themes of infidelity and obsession, profanity, and tragic outcomes including accidental death and psychological distress. The film explicitly portrays an adulterous relationship which leads to severe emotional and physical consequences.
Good to Know
The film was initially rated NC-17 before being edited for an R rating for theatrical release in some markets, and an unrated version is available on home media, suggesting the high intensity of its content. The storyline is based on Josephine Hart's novel, which was also adapted into the 2023 Netflix series 'Obsession,' indicating a consistent interest in the destructive themes of the original story across adaptations.
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