While travelling in India with a girlfriend, Ruth (Kate Winslet), from the Sydney suburb of Sans Souci, has become involved with a religious cult. When the news gets back to her alarmed family, Mum (Julie Hamilton), intrepidly sets off to bring her daughter back, which she achieves by lying about the state of Dad`s health. The family hires an American `exiter `, PJ Waters, (Harvey Keitel), who assures them he`ll make their daughter see reason - in an isolated outback house, the de-programming begins - and soon assumes a sexual dimension.
Jane Campion`s films have usually dealt uncompromisingly with the battle of the sexes, and this sometimes confronts audiences, as it did with her first feature, Sweetie. Working with a screenplay she wrote in collaboration with her sister, Anna, Campion has created her most disturbing, yet at times most alarmingly funny, examination of sexual politics. This isn`t a film about cults - it`s a film about a potent sexual relationship between a seemingly vulnerable woman and a much older, more experienced and seemingly more powerful man. Intelligent, disturbing and stunningly beautiful to look at, the film centers on a great performance from Kate Winslet who manages to overshadow Harvey Keitel - good in a difficult role. Fine supporting performances, too, especially Julie Hamilton and Sophie Lee who plays Ruth`s rapacious sister-in-law. This is a tremendously impressive film.
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