I WANT YOU (1999)

Directed By: Michael Winterbottom 
Written By: Eoin McNamee 
Cinematography By: Slawomir Idziak 
Editor: Trevor Waite 


Cast: Rachel Weisz, Alessandro Nivola, Labina Mitevska, Luka Petrusic, Phylidia Law 



Helen is a young woman running a hairdressing salon; Bob is her boyfriend and local radio DJ; Honda is a mute kid who's secretly taping people's conversation and Smokey is Honda's sister who sings at local bar. New guy in town is the mysterious Martin, who shares some dark history with Helen and observes her from afar at first. Honda falls in love with Helen and starts taping her conversations with Bob, and that leads to reactivation of the Helen-Martin relationship

I am surprised this movie isn't brought up or discussed more. The film is an early renowned film director Michael Winterbottom film. That has a familiar story but here gives it an original spin of being partly a coming of age story. A pulp story an erotic thriller that has no problem with showing sex and nudity with more artistic presence but also down and dirty. The film also takes place in a more exotic locale.

I am not entirely sure If this film Is still available in the United States or if it even made it's way onto DVD. As I saw it many years ago on videocassette around 2000, or 2001 and have never really forgotten it over the years. No Matter how many films I have watched.

The film for the most part is about the power of obsession. It's a pulp story that we don't know everything and discover all little by little that we never knew was coming. As at first the story is presented as simple, but gets darker and more intriguing as it goes along.

In the beginning it looks like a stalking story that mirrors the teenage characters fascination with Rachel Weisz character. Even to the point where she catches him and thought he was her stalker. Though eventually we see the stalker and find out that they have a past.

We find out from both their points of view, but get the full story as we gain knowledge from each side. Eventually by the end where it becomes clear more than ever.

As the story goes along we find that the actions might be a repeat of earlier ones we never have seen but certainly hear about. As then it's crush gains more strength especially when she acknowledges his desires and becomes more dependent on him. As he shows he is willing to do anything for her.

The story becomes sexually and erotically charged throughout raising it's gamble with each new scene. Music plays a role in the presentation of scenes and the tone. It even explains the films title as the Song I want you by Elvis Costello is played In Full during a strip seduction/sex scene.

I became aware of the film through seeing the trailer. Which seemed interesting but as soon as the song plays in it I was hooked on seeing the film.

This is. It the first film to introduce the talent and beauty of Rachel Weisz. As she was also the extroverted sexual character in STEALING BEAUTY and also was the damsel in distress love interest in the Keanu Reeves starring CHAIN REACTION. Though she also played a form of femme fatale in the film BEAUTIFUL CREATURES. Though all those films are more lighthearted then this film and her role here. This is a film that definitely feasts and exploits her as the seminal femme fatale. Here she seems like a character right out of an Alfred Hitchcock film only without being a blonde. As she uses her beauty as bait to get others to do her bidding manipulating them and disposing of them before she really has to come try with her promises. She seems shocked at the power she possesses but never thinks twice about using them. Though there might be some guilt after as the men she uses seem to touch her and make some kind of impact. Just not as much as she makes on them. This seems to be more a star making role that never was meant to appeal to all sides of her talent.

I remember seeing Rachel Weisz impressing in forgettable films, but she always stood out like she belonged in better than what she was in. His was the first performance I saw her in with more substance. Even as the film preys on her looks to a degree and tries to convince us of her innocence.

The film has a rather strong story once it gets started that perfectly captures the power of crushes you might have had when you were young. How it feels to be obsessed and infatuated with someone. Not some celebrity you will probably never meet but someone you are constantly and consistently everyday almost. Who is nice to you and flirtatious they you believe you have a chance of romance with, though everyone around you knows not really.

Labina Mitevska is good in her supporting role as a woman caught in between who is connected to all the main characters. She is sexy and distracting as the only innocent character it seems in the film.
Though at first it seems all over the place towards the second half of the film. The true story of the film Comes into focus

There is nothing here you haven't seen before, but it is uniquely told in a small seaside town that feels exotic as Rachel Weisz and Alessandro Nivola are the only Caucasian characters and the only ones who feel like outsiders in the story. Showing that even in paradise there is trouble.

Things in the story get complicate when the stalker. Who seems to have no problem seducing and having sex with other women starts sleeping with the teenagers sister. So that he is constantly around and trying to. One with him. As he knows he is usually in the company of Rachel Weisz's character.

This film is a hidden gem. That satisfies as it gives everything to the audience and yet has it's own character and rhythm. Where it ca be subtle listen and notice the lyrics of the songs chosen for the soundtrack or even just the song titles.

For a time It seemed like Michael Winterbottom was a more prolific filmmaker who had a film coming out each year or seemed to be working on one right after another. That might not make his resume look like it has all successes but it is a long one. Which is impressive and showed definite talent as he kept getting accolades and funding.

The film manages to even seduce the audience. Just as the characters seduce one another slowly, destructively and seemingly with innocence.


Grade: B-