I Want You (1998)

I Want You Poster

A young boy and his sister are drawn into one man's obsessive pursuit of his former lover.

Summary
"I Want You" is an elegantly brooding British movie directed by Michael Winterbottom in 1998, with movie script built by Eoin McNamee. It is an extreme and mentally intricate mystery, drama-romance film that portrays an envigorating tale of desire, yearning and love in an unconventional method.

Plot summary
The film orbits around four main characters: Martin, Bob, Helen, and Honda. Martin (Alessandro Nivola) is a launched convict who returns to the English seaside town and tries to reconnect with his previous love, Helen (Rachel Weisz). Helen runs a hairdressing company and is presently engaged to Bob (Ben Daniels). Honda (Luka Petrušić) is a mute kid who enjoys spying on people and taping their discussions, who forms a not likely bond with Martin over their shared obsession with the beautiful Helen.

Martin, still damaged from their abrupt separation, finds his fascination with Helen re-ignited, and his return stirs up a whirlpool of feelings and unfulfilled desires. On the other hand, we find Helen torn in between her perceived sense of commitment towards Bob and the invasion of her past enthusiast, Martin.

Character Analysis
The portrayal of Martin by Alessandro Nivola is commendable. He emulates a heartbroken guy desperate to acquire closure while tirelessly intending to recover his first love. Weisz's Helen is captivating, her inner chaos when confronted with recurring sensations for Martin and the stability of her settled life is raw and practical.

Honda's character is interesting; he neither speaks nor hears, yet is able to express his feelings wonderfully, not through dialogue, but through his transfixing gaze and body language. Bob, though not as vibrant a character as the others, does amplify the complexity of the circumstance.

Cinematic Approach
"I Want You" is visually stunning and the narrative is developed through carefully crafted cinematography, utilizing moody, atmospheric visuals integrated with an evocative soundtrack. Winterbottom positions as much focus on the emotional landscape of the characters as he does on the physical website setting, weaving in the components of the beachfront, the churning of the waves and the raw charm of the landscape into the story. The film uses an experimental non-linear method, masterfully implemented through various timespan, and utilizes flashbacks interweaving previous and present events.

Conclusion
"I Want You" takes us on a captivating journey, exploring themes of love, fascination, regret and redemption, wrapped in a suspenseful story. The complexity of human relationships, the intriguing plot twists, the attractive setting, and the gripping efficiencies of its cast make this movie a noticeably haunting romantic thriller. This film ultimately questions what we are willing to run the risk of in the name of love, bringing us to face our fear of vulnerability, and the lengths to which we want to choose the ones we love.

In conclusion, "I Want You" is a perfectly introspective film that presses the limits of standard storytelling, providing not simply a story, however a palpable atmosphere of emotional intrigue. The raw and palpable appeal of this film lies in the intricacies it unfolds, the appeal of its story and its poetic treatment of challenging themes. Overall, it surpasses the shallow layers of love and probes into the gritty, frequently uncomfortable, realities of love and yearning.

Top Cast

  • Rachel Weisz (small)
    Rachel Weisz
    Helen
  • Alessandro Nivola (small)
    Alessandro Nivola
    Martin
  • Luka Petruši?
    Honda
  • Labina Mitevska (small)
    Labina Mitevska
    Smokey
  • Carmen Ejogo (small)
    Carmen Ejogo
    Amber
  • Ben Daniels (small)
    Ben Daniels
    Bob
  • Graham Crowden (small)
    Graham Crowden
    Old Man
  • Geraldine O'Rawe (small)
    Geraldine O'Rawe
    Sonja
  • Steve John Shepherd (small)
    Steve John Shepherd
    Sam
  • David Hounslow (small)
    David Hounslow
    Frank
  • Phyllida Law (small)
    Phyllida Law
    Woman at Hairdresser #1