Passion, 2012.
Directed by Brian De Palma.
Starring Rachel McAdams, Noomi Rapace , Paul Anderson, Karoline Herfurth, Leila Rozario, Rainer Bock, Ian T. Dickinson and Frank Witter.
SYNOPSIS:
When she is betrayed by her boss and mentor a young businesswoman seeks revenge.
When a marketing executive (Rachel McAdams) claims a campaign idea which originated from her assistant (Noomi Rapace) to be her own, the relationship between the two women unravels. Complicating matters is a kinky love triangle with a colleague portrayed by Paul Anderson. The opening musical score sets a mischievous tone which changes as the story progresses into something darker. Cars are sabotaged, promotions are thwarted, security camera footage is used as a tool of humiliation, and email threats are manufactured. Needless say that the rivalry escalates into murder.
Often both McAdams and Rapace are kept in frame together. The signature long continuous shot does not make an appearance as filmmaker Brian De Palma has adopted a restrained approach to the cinematography; however, the flashy camera movements are not entirely gone as De Palma does use zoom outs for dramatic effect. A spiral staircase makes an appearance which seems to be homage to the master of psychological thrillers, Alfred Hitchcock. With the cast being kept to the minimum there is a stage play quality to the production. Shots are allowed to linger enabling the eye to examine the imagery, in particular the facial reactions of the two female leads. The production design is modernist with a rich sense of colour.
Filled with plenty of twists and turns it is easy for the viewer to get disoriented when watching Passion. Lesbian eroticism is played up though it never amounts to much at least not until a wild card player intervenes and orchestrates a blackmail scheme in the name of love. Distinguishing what is real or imagined by the characters reaches a climatic conclusion which is both abrupt and bewildering. It would appear that Brian De Palma likes to participate in some mind games of his own.
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★
Trevor Hogg
Originally published September 10, 2012. Updated April 14, 2018.
