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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