Killing Me Softly (2001) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

U.S., U.K. 2001
Director: Chen Kaige
Cast: Heather Graham, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Yasmin Bannerman, Ulrich Thomsen, Ian Hart
Rating: R
Release Date: March 25th 2003
Running Time: 1 hour 40 mins 14 secs

The Movie Review

Killing Me Softly film still 1


KILLING ME SOFTLY
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

Killing Me Softly is a wonderful song composed by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox and was made widely known by Roberta Flack in 1973 and then by Lauryn Hill in 1996. KMS is also perfect tunes to listen to with your spouse late at night on the porch while looking at the scenic view of the city at night... Ok, just teasin' ya ;-), it is actually a movie, but not just a movie but is also a good complement to spend a relax evening watching it with your spouse.

Killing Me Softly was a thriller movie with a touch of drama and erotic elements released back in 2003, which is also the only English-language movie that has been directed by its director, Chen Kaige. Killing Me Softly is a movie based on a novel in 1999 written by husband and wife team, Sean French and Nicci Gerrard.

The story centers on Alice (Heather Graham) a successful career woman who lives happily with her boyfriend Jake (Jason Hughes), until one day she experiences an uncontrollable sexual urge over a guy, Adam (Joseph Fiennes) and eventually spends a sensual afternoon with him. Even though ridden by guilt, but Alice still could not hold her sexual desire over Adam. But certainly this affair comes in a package with grave consequences for she suddenly receives warning notes to leave Adam before something bad happen to her.

On the other hand, even though Adam indeed has some very unusually rough making-love style, but he shows real compassion towards Alice, but Alice then realizes that she doesn't know anything about Adam and his past. The only way Alice could find out is seemingly through Adam's sister Deborah (Natascha McElhone). But will Deborah helps her? And does Adam really have something to hide from Alice?

According to MPAA, Killing Me Softly was rated with R for strong sexuality, some violence and language. I definitely can't argue with that. This is one steamy drama movie that for some viewers may rate it as too rough. But let's not be prejudice first. One thing for sure, Heather Graham and Joseph Fiennes have given good performance, not only from the acting quality but also from how they 'feel' each other, how they act like a couple of teenagers who know love for the first time and how they grew the chemistry between them, as for this case, it's sexual chemistry. Heather Graham gave it all and the lust between them would ooze out of the screen, the thing is, she's the center of this erotic thriller. Fortunately for us the audience, she's good as the center, and to be the only actress who takes off her clothes.

The plot is as you might expect is intriguing, well no surprise since it's based on a novel. However, even though I truly enjoy how the writers put the twist and try to trick the viewers, but for seasoned moviegoers, it doesn't take long before you could figure out the secret. But don't mind that, it's still enjoyable.

The directing style, the musical score and the editing of this erotic drama film are the ones that resemble more of the old Basic Instinct or Body of Evidence. In a sense that the respective director knows when to insert the good stuff and how to make it classy but also steamy. I guess the pace also helps build the atmosphere, just as I said before, it is a movie for a relax evening. The pace is neither fast nor dragging. It's just perfect. So don't get your hopes too high to see some Academy-material out of this movie, but watch it just to ease your mind without feeling too emotional or having to stifle a yawn. Or probably you would stifle a yawn after the movie ends, if you know what I mean ;-)

Just don't see this movie only wanting to see the nudity, instead just enjoy the intriguing plotline, then think of the sex scenes as the fringe benefit, then you'll get the best out of Killing Me Softly.