The Captive (2000)

Title: The Captive aka La Hostage (2000)
"The Captive" (La Slave) directed by Chantal Akerman in 2000, is a French-language drama movie based on Marcel Proust's book "La Prisonnière". The movie portrays the complexity and intrigue of an intensely close, compulsive relationship.

Plot Summary
The film unfolds around Simon, a wealthy Parisian male and his peculiarly private sweetheart, Ariane. Simon fanatically follows Ariane in her every movement, going so far as to spy on her with a telescope.

Simon is convinced that Ariane is harboring a secret sexual life that she conceals from him. He places her in the confines of her glamorous Parisian apartment - basically taking her captive. At the exact same time, Simon is also a hostage; his obsession with Ariane consumes his life totally, triggering him to disconnect from his family and friends.

Obsession and Misunderstanding
The film explores the level of Simon's infatuation, as he tries to manage every element of Ariane's life. He remains in consistent requirement of assurance of her fidelity and is constantly suspicious of her activities when they're apart.

In a subtle twist, Simon begins believing that Ariane may be attracted to other ladies. His unnecessary concern and suspicion stimulate off internal dispute within him, resulting in mental and emotional distress. It becomes clear that his paranoia is more about his insecurities than about Ariane's actions.

Ariane's Struggles
Ariane, on her part, remains primarily passive and extends relative compliance despite her partner's intrusive habits. She has a hard time to preserve her own identity, while also attempting to satisfy Simon's constant need for control and attention. However, she does periodically escape his clutches and hangs around on her own, which even more fuels Simon's misapprehension about her.

Tragic Conclusion
In his unpredictable and desperate pursuit to maintain control over Ariane, Simon endeavors into locations of extreme control, delighting in a relentless mental and psychological intrusion of her personal privacy. His growing obsession leads to a tragic climax, where Ariane, in an effort to escape her captive life, drowns herself in a lake.

Theme and Achievements
The Captive explores complexities of love, jealousy, fascination and how unattended fixation can lead to deadly effects. Akerman masterfully provides the tale of an unhealthy and poisonous relationship from a special and imaginative point of view. The movie premiered at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and earned acclaimed reviews for its screenplay and performances.

Conclusion
Overall, "The Captive" is a heavy, thought-provoking exploration of an extremely dysfunctional relationship. It is a stark and detailed portrayal of the darker aspects of human nature and relationships that are frequently neglected in mainstream movie theater. The movie invites its audience to contemplate on the great line between love and fixation, making it a turbulent and noir cinematic experience.

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