Synopsis
A passenger on a cruise ship develops an irresistible infatuation with an eccentric paraplegic's wife.
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Cast
- Peter CoyoteOscar
- Emmanuelle SeignerMimi
- Hugh GrantNigel
- Kristin Scott ThomasFiona
- Victor BanerjeeMr. Singh
- Sophie PatelAmrita Singh
- Patrick AlbenqueSteward
- Smilja MihailovitchBridge Player
- Leo EckmannBridge Player
- Luca VellaniDado
Recommendations
- 88
Slant Magazine
As easy as it would be to make rude connections between the film’s raunchy shenanigans and Polanski’s own history, the fact is that Bitter Moon doesn’t feel like either an explanation, an apology, nor a defense of the kinky sexual games adults play. Think of it as Polanski’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. - 80
Time Out
Rich and darkly disturbing, it's also wickedly entertaining. - 78
Austin Chronicle
A disturbing, spare story and a return to Polanski's earlier thematic grounds; it's not Knife in the Water, but it does feature fragmenting marriages and a big boat. - 75
Chicago Reader
With its American, English, and French characters representing the three cultures Polanski has known since he left Poland, it's also quite possibly his most personal film—and certainly his most self-critical. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Bitter Moon is wretched excess. But Polanski directs it without compromise or apology, and it's a funny thing how critics may condescend to it, but while they're watching it you could hear a pin drop. - 70
Newsweek
Recklessly perched on the edge of the ludicrous, this examination of a destructive erotic passion unfolds with an unsettling mixture of steam and mordant iron. - 60
Washington Post
After 36 years of making movies, Polanski may be off his creative rocker, but he's still having fun. - 50
ReelViews
This is bad melodrama, complete with hammy acting and purple prose, and far too long to be even passingly entertaining. It's soap opera quality, from beginning to sensationalistic end.
