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Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Graves, Ian Bannen ... see more see more... , Leslie Caron , Peter Stormare , Gemma Clarke , Julian Fellowes , Tony Doyle , Simon de Deney , Susan Engel , David Thewlis , Benjamin Whitrow , Luc ??tienne , Ray Gravell , Jeff Nuttall , Linda Delapena , Roger Llewellyn , Jason Morell , Henry Power , Barry Steam , Francine Stock

Adapted from Josephine Hart's spare novel by British screenwriter David Hare and French director Louis Malle, this brooding erotic drama concerns the obsessive sexual relationship between an English p... read more read more...olitician and his son's lover. Stephen Flemming (Jeremy Irons), an up-and-coming member of Parliament, has a beautiful and loving wife, Ingrid (Miranda Richardson), and two children, including son Martyn (Rupert Graves), a successsful journalist. Sparks fly, however, when Stephen meets beautiful art-world denizen Anna Barton (Juliette Binoche), Martyn's new girlfriend. A measured, seemingly passionless man who believes that life can be controlled, Stephen suddenly finds himself unable to resist brief but intense liaisons with the mysterious, melancholy Anna. Eventually she explains the palpable air of sadness that hangs over her: When she was 15, her beloved older brother committed suicide because he could not possess her. "Remember," Anna warns Stephen, "Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive." Drawn to Anna and the passion she engenders in him, Stephen tries to justify his betrayal by telling himself Martyn isn't serious about Anna; he is stunned, then, when the two announce their engagement. On the advice of Anna's mother (Leslie Caron), who sees right through the charade, Stephen tries to break things off. But soon the affair resumes with full force, eventually destroying several lives. Although Damage's stark, frank sex scenes were trimmed to attain an R rating for theatrical release, the original, uncut version is available on video and DVD. Richardson received an Oscar nomination for her work. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Flixster Users

61% want to see it

6,052 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

20 critics

R, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Louis Malle

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DVD Release Date: November 17, 1998

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Flixster Reviews (379)

  • ebs90
    March 30, 2009
    ebs90
    I remember seeing Damage ages ago, but I'm not sure why I feel like reviewing it just now. Meh, there must be a reason for my remembering it after so long.

    I don't feel getting into the details of the story is enough to draw someone to the film because if it does, it might be ... read morefor the wrong reasons... Every plot specification seems so small in comparison to the towering human drama unfolding. Damage is really about two people who, for whatever reason, just need something forbidden and hurtful to feel alive. It is as though their lives made them so unmotivated and sad that they need anything, even pain, to overcome that sadness. Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche's characters are forbidden to have a relationship, sexual or not, and yet they simply have to, against all circumstances, aware of the gigantic risks involved.

    Probably, both characters ask themselves, what do those risks even really mean? Would it really be so terrible? Regardless of the fact that in the end the consequences really do prove terrible, theirs is an understandable situation, if only from their points of view. Both characters seem, and are damaged for various reasons, and their salvation seems to be more damage. A collision of pain that only between them can become pleasure. It's exhausting to watch this film, I remember that. But it's beautiful because it portrays how vital intimacy and understanding between humans is, and how enriching it can be. I mean, what do we live off, how do we give our lives meaning without relationships? We need to communicate, to put in common our experiences and fears and desires in order to evolve and enrich ourselves. How it happens in Damage is sad and pathetic but it's still crucial.

    Miranda Richardson is great. She's just great. Juliette Binoche bothered me a little, but perhaps it was her incomprehensible character. Jeremy Irons, well, I can never say anything bad about him... here he is intense, damaged, and totally made stupid by his desperation. Just perfect.

    Finally... erotic yes. sexy, oh my god, no.
  • arashxak
    December 5, 2008
    arashxak
    Another great movie by Louis Malle, Irons is great as always
  • mjgildea
    November 5, 2006
    mjgildea
    Okay.
  • zeravenyoej
    February 13, 2008
    zeravenyoej
    more later
  • thirdway821
    August 15, 2010
    thirdway821
    Louis Malle's "Damage" basic premise is about an older man who is sexually attracted to a younger woman, both partners engage in an intense, erotic sexual relationship. Malle makes "Damage" more complex and more intriguing I couldn't help but be amazed as to what will happen next... read more.

    Jeremy Irons(who sort of reminds me of Daniel Day-Lewis) is just right for the role as the British government minister Dr. Stephen Fleming and so is Juliette Binoche as the dark, quiet very exotic Anna Barton. Some may felt the film's tone is slow and boring. Not me. "Damage" kept me locked in from start to finish. It is quite a great movie film lovers have to see.
  • SunilJawahir
    October 28, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    There is a lack of originality in this and it drags on quite bit.
  • mvieaddict
    March 25, 2009
    mvieaddict
    Damage is one of the most deeply emotionally films I've seen,a true masterpiece of passion. The love scenes are hot, to say the least, and I'll never be able to look at Julliet Binochet again without remembering her in those scenes. Jeremy Irons does incredible work here,I love ... read morethis gentleman acting, actually he steals the film with some over the top acting. However, it's Julliet Binochet who anchors this fine movie with her performance and her strong and quite impressive presence. I simply couldn't take my eyes off her whenever she was on screen for a simple reason: she was awesome.
  • DrLappos
    August 31, 2007
    DrLappos
    Superb film, powerful and intense.
  • jjb3332003
    March 28, 2009
    jjb3332003
    While I fail to completely understand the attraction Anna has for Stephen, and the sex scenes are overdramatic, this is a very well-made and well-directed film. There are some great lines throughout and much depth of both character and plot.
  • jlilley2
    September 21, 2007
    jlilley2
    This dark tragedy captures the essence of human failings and lust. Acting is stallar across the board, and Jeremy Irons is fabulous.

View All Damage Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
October 27, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It might be well-crafted and well-acted, but it's still an unintentionally laughable film about an older man getting into an attractive younger girl's pants. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 8, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Jeremy Irons is miscast in this pseudo-steamy menage a trois, with Juliette Binoche at the center between father and son (Rupert Graves). Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
June 3, 2006
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

Miranda Richardson was the best thing about this film. Full Review

Michael Szymanski
September 27, 2002
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com

Gripping, twisting and worth seeing again.

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 26, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

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    • Anna Barton: Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.
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