Emmanuelle

This is one of those films that a person acquires at a younger age to watch as something incredibly daring. I actually acquired the film quite a while ago, but that doesn't change the fact that I only got around to watching it recently. My expectations were probably too high. It's a mildly erotic film where imagination plays a significant role. Fair enough, but compared to the book I held in my hands when I was really young, this is something that doesn't quite impress me as much. You'll have a richer experience from the book, even without pictures. (2014-02-25)

Attractive actresses and a satisfactory amount of nudity. With a surprisingly – for its time – controversial sexual tone (the scenes of vaginal smoking and rape in an opium den were edited out in some countries). The story and some of its clever-sounding, mentoring dialogue can but needn’t be seen as merely necessary links bridging the erotic scenes. Many sexually less-experienced female viewers identify with the protagonist and the film succeeds in inspiring them to embark on intimate adventures and to let their guard down. Which doesn’t change the fact that the shallowness in the depiction of the characters, the kitschy music and superficial porn-cadence of the eroticism make Emmanuelle absolute trash. (2024-09-20)