In a message dated 13/03/2003 13:08:22 GMT Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< I think perhaps you're being a tad extreme, Azeem...it's strongly established in the film that he's deeply in love with her - indeed; he has basically dedicated his life to being her caretaker, and the scenes of him caressing her, grooming her, putting lotion on her, etc. reinforced that, at least for me. Obviously if he was just in it for necrophiliac sex he wouldn't have invested so much of himself. >> To borrow a fine phrase once used here by David Lahm in another context, I am in collegial and total disagreement with you here, Bob. Surely this WAS a rape: I don't believe physical violence is an inevitable part of rape (coercion is often used, although I accept that that is a form of violence). What we had here was a man having non-consensual sex with a woman who was in his care and *totally* in his power - she was helpless and vulnerable, and I believe that his act was made more, not less reprehensible because of this imbalance of power. And it was unprotected, meaning he could have infected her with an STD; and she then fell pregnant, which for all I know could have killed her and the foetus. It is a gross abuse, and, for me, its seriousness is not tempered by his tender feelings towards her. If I remember rightly, he hardly knows her, although he quickly becomes obsessed with her, and she gives no indication of reciprocating his feelings. They have not been a couple. If they HAD been, then I would accept that this might put his actions in a different light. There is not much about this (or any other) Almodovar film that is truly realistic; however, the fact that this man is locked up in a mental institution *is* spot-on, as his behaviour is psychotic. That's my "take" on it... All the best, Azeem
