This Australian film impressed me both because of the artworks and because of its sensitivity.  The works shown and the sensual content are offered as background to the story, but for me, they were a more significant element.  Furthermore the cinematographer never failed to catch a spot of beauty or a sunset or a garden or a landscape as punctuation to the storyline.

            The screenplay depicts a short period of time in the lives of two couples, one older, Edward and Desiree, and one younger, David and Anna.  Edward is a successful wealthy art photographer in his sixties.  Anna is a vocalist and music teacher, probably twenty-something.  The opening scene shows us the young and attractive Anna singing the lead in a small choral group.  (They were listed as the Adelaide Chamber Singers in the credits.)  Edward is in the audience and after the performance concludes, he gives Anna his business card.  She contacts Edward, is courted by him and poses nude for his photography.  Desiree accepts this but not David and it is this conflict that sets the stage for the drama.

            As the opposite partners are introduced, we learn that David is an artist and Desiree practices a personal spiritualism.  The plot is made more complex by virtue of the fact that David is an interesting and sensitive person.  If he were not, then Anna would be looking elsewhere and this new connection with Edward would be normal protégé attraction and much less interesting.  But David, as a viable partner who loves and cares for Anna, creates tension in the storyline. 

            The characters are all different and interesting.  David's connection to the art world provides us a tour of an art gallery with huge artworks done by an elderly artist that use space and lighting and are drop-dead-gorgeous.  Anna is struggling with her previous broken marriage.  Edward professes impotence but wants all other sensuality.  Desiree communes with her own Gods.  The only fault with the screenplay is that it tends to take itself too seriously.  There is only one very funny event in the whole film and it occurs when David is talking to his psychiatrist.  I think that it was a blooper they decided to leave in the film.

            Reviewed January 11, 2005 at the International Film Festival

            Not rated, but probably "R" for nudity.