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Boxing Helena

This is a very unusual film with an interesting and well-organized plot. A young prosperous surgeon is in love with a very beautiful woman named Helena. In a cafe, by accident, he sees a woman with whom he once had an affair. The passion reburns in his heart yet Helena feels nothing but indifference for him. He organizes a party for her and during this party he watches her. It won't help however, so, the good doctor manages to invite the object of his love to his fine apartment where he tries to persuade her how much he loves her. She leaves his house in indignation but soon after that is struck by a car. Nick takes her to his house and amputates her legs. (One can suppose that it needed to save her life?) But let it be. Helena doesn't love him all the same, and what is more, she hates him, for she blames him for the accident. But actually their relationship is much more complicated. Helena realizes that Nick really loves and needs her. But her sudden flashes of temper hurt Nick too much so he also amputates her arms. Now she is completely in his power. There are some excellent scenes. But suddenly Helena's boyfriend appears and spoils everything Nick has created with so much pain. Helena and Nick are in the hospital.

It looks like a nightmare but is it really possible? No, it's only a wild dream of the obsessed doctor, a voluptious fantasy that never came true but was so close to it. Nick recovers soon and goes to look at his beloved. She is complete but one can see only the head on the pillow. This is the end. But that dream is why all the movie was made, and it is the dream what impresses and what the spectator remembers.

The film is very beautiful, the photography is excellent. I especially like the actors in this film - their playing is wonderful. Nick (Julian Sands) is the man of just the proper type - he's not beautiful but his eyes attract. (He often plays doctors, scientists and so on). Helena (Sherilyn Fenn) is a very beautiful and charming woman but there is a slight coldness in her or maybe it's better to say that her beauty is cold. (One can also say that it is arrogance). This is especially interesting as usually there should be some imperfection to light such a passion. These actors make a perfect duo. All the other actors are very good too.

Every shot in this movie is like a picture. The music also creates the atmosphere. It's strange but all the reviews I've read about this film are rather moderate (not to say negative). I think the tragedy of the characters of the film affects us more sharply because there is no overt cruelty, all the operations take place behind the screen. So it has a strong impact on the viewer. Critics accuse the film of weirdness. But why should we consider weirdness as a fault? Also why should we consider it a real situation? It's just a love story with a slight surrealistic touch in unreal surroundings. As for the genre of the film I would determine it between the mystery and the drama.

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