"You are an extremely salacious and corrupt Jezebel."
In the film "Brimstone and Treacle," Tom Bates (Denholm Elliot) owns a small evangelical publishing business. On the way home from work one evening, a rather strange young man literally crashes into him and proceeds to claim a prior acquaintance. Tom Bates manages to ditch the stranger, but the young man--whose name is Martin Taylor (Sting)--shows up at the beautiful, but remote, country home where Tom lives. Martin ostensibly wants to return Tom's wallet, but he fabricates excuses for staying. Martin claims a previous relationship with the daughter, Patricia, who is now basically a mental vegetable following a nasty accident 4 years previously. Martin very craftily discovers and gauges the domestic discord between Mr and Mrs Bates, and he capitalizes on this--weaseling his way in and ingratiating himself with Mrs Bates (Joan Plowright) or "mumsy" as he calls her. Tom is extremely suspicious, but he is treading on very sticky moral ground, and Norma Bates is too relieved to find someone to assist with Patricia's caretaking to ask questions. She is too naive to contemplate the nasty alternative, and she considers Martin "just what she needs." Is Martin an angel sent to help Patricia, or is he a demon? That is for the viewer to decide.
Supernatural elements abound in this film, and the eerie atmosphere is consistent throughout. The cast is small, and the script is tight. Denholm Elliot is believeable as the slightly neurotic Tom who insists his daughter has left her human body and just the shell remains. He exists on a tightrope of lost faith, repressed sexuality and guilt. Joan Plowright as Norma Bates plays the long-suffering wife--somewhat out-of-touch with reality--whose religious faith gets her through each long, tedious, and depressing day. She believes in miracles, and she hopes that one will occur. Well, be careful what you wish for....
Keep an eye open for Sting's cross-dressing scene. If you are a fan of the Police, they play throughout the film, and the soundtrack to the film is available. This is an unusual tale--some may find it offensive and/or profane, and there is some female nudity....
CULT MOVIES 33
33. BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE (thriller-drama, 1982) Martin (Sting) befriends middle-aged bookkeeper Tom (Denholm Elliott). Martin cons his way into his house by passing himself as his daughter's, Patricia (Suzana Hamilton), ex-boyfriend. Patricia has been left a mute and bedridden for 3 years after a car accident. Tom's wife Nora (Joan Plowright) is very religious and Martin's 'gospely' kindness and loyalty to Patricia impress her. Though Tom is suspicious of Martin's exact motives he nonetheless stays to take care of Patricia. What they don't know is that Martin is sexually abusing their defenseless daughter.
Critique: Part fairy tale, part religious parable, this creepy, atmospheric film is highlighted by a wickedly perverse turn by Sting (lead singer of rock group 'The Police'). What makes his character such a bizarre figure is that his motives are unknown, his appetites unresolved. I think Martin is just a thief, passing himself as anyone's friend just to have a place to stay. A sort of pickpocket. He's also a sexual deviant who doesn't mind how he gets it, either from an invalid or an old woman. The film portrays him as an avenging angel-type brought into Tom's household to uncover some truths. Interesting direction by Richard Loncraine (is this his film debut?) who works from a play adapted by Dennis Potter (who's own sexually dubious works are to be questioned). 'The Police', along with 'The Go-Gos' provided the music.
WEIRDLY DISTURBING
Once banned on the BBC, BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE (MGM) stars Sting as Martin Taylor, a charismatic, mysterious figure who insinuates himself into the household of the Bates. Tom Bates (Denholm Elliot) writes religious literature, his wife Norma (Joan Plowright) spends her time caring for their disabled, mute, daughter. Martin doesn't know the family, but convinces the Bates that he's an old friend of their daughter and moves in to do his thing. Is Martin a demon or an angel? See what happens when the daughter recovers her speech.
Great if not outstanding musically! However, if your looking for a concert followed by his thoughts and inspirations - not! Sting thinks he must interlace his music with the spoken word - which greatly takes away from this otherwise incredible work. You begin to drift into that magical place and then the concert cuts away - in the middle of the song - to listen to his thoughts on the tune! Had it been any other musician - I would have shut the damn thing off and asked for my money back. More Info about this DVD DVD Release Date: Released the 07 October 2003 Usually ships within 24 hours
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The only reason to purchase this movie is to watch the sexy Jennifer Beals Pout her way through the scenes. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Sting - Jennifer Beals Director(s): Franc Roddam DVD Release Date: Released the 11 September 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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A rarely screened cult favorite from Paul Verhoeven, this story of medieval war and revenge should please action fans and admirers of the director and his semi-regular leading man, Rutger Hauer, but its graphic scenes of sexual violence earmark it for mature viewers only. Hauer stars as a 16th-century mercenary hired by a Western European ruler (Fernando Hilbeck) to assault a neighboring kingdom; when the king reneges on his promises to Hauer and his men, they kidnap his son's fiancee (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and hole up in a nearby castle. Hauer and Leigh are standouts in a strong cast that includes Tom Burlinson, Bruno Kirby, the late Brion James, and Susan Tyrrell; Verhoeven's realistic approach to the down-and-dirty facts of medieval life and the bloody aftermath of warfare offers a... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Paul Verhoeven DVD Release Date: Released the 03 February 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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One of Mike Figgis' first films, Stormy Monday fuses an intriguing mix of American greed, crudeness, and innocence with British coolness, toughness, and civility. But added to the mix, interestingly enough, is a Polish element (more on that later).
One American is Melanie Griffith as a cocktail waitress and vaguely defined moll (or former moll) of the other, Tommy Lee Jones, a ruthless moblike businessman who plans on making Newcastle, England his own--commercially, of course. (Political takeover is a little hard to imagine circa 1988). Melanie emits a sexy blend of sensuality and innocence, pretty much irresistible. The British are Sting, as the owner of a club (a role he neatly reprised in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels), and Sean Bean as his cleaning person/gofer. Both are... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Melanie Griffith - Tommy Lee Jones Director(s): Mike Figgis DVD Release Date: Released the 07 October 2003 Usually ships within 24 hours
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