Dave S
Once you get over the trauma of watching a penis get nailed to a piece of wood, you'll realize that Barbet Schroeder's Maitresse is a love story like any other…well, not fully, but pretty much. When a petty thief and a dominatrix, played respectively by a very young Gerard Depardieu and the always luminous Bulle Ogier, meet under the most unlikely of circumstances, sparks soon fly and whips quickly crack. As unpalatable as it may be at times (horse lovers beware), it is a beautiful film to look at thanks to some stunning cinematography combined Schroeder's ability to frame shots and block scenes. Clearly, Maitresse is not for everyone but for those willing to give it a go, it'll prove to be a rewarding experience.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
09/01/23
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Audience Member
Now we're talking!! Just perfect!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/28/23
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Audience Member
The film would be perfect if it weren't for a small problem: Olivier is an asshole and has a very abusive behavior. This movie was supposed to be romantic, but you spend the whole movie hoping Ariane will get rid of Olivier and continue her dominatrix life without him around.
Overall the BDSM scenes in this movie are pretty good. But that scene of Olivier watching the horse being slaughtered was kind of unnecessary and adds nothing to the film.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
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Audience Member
Gérard Depardieu and a buddy break into an apartment looking to rob it. The apartment belongs to a dominatrix who enlists Depardieu first as an assistant, then as a lover. Depardieu's jealously and neediness ultimately sabotages the relationship, but not before we see quite a lot of details about her job. I'm a fan of Schroeder's work, and this is ultimately one of the best films of his I have seen to date. Young Depardieu is an extremely volatile and energetic actor, reminding me quite a bit of De Niro from the same period. WARNING: This film contains pretty graphic abuse of a penis and the actual slaughtering of a horse. The ultimate lesson appears to be ... don't have sex while driving a car. dammit.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
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Audience Member
cinegeek.de In Maitresse sind die Welt des Alltags und die der geheimen Wünschen nur durch eine geheime Falltür voneinander getrennt. Im oberen Stockwerk befindet sich die Wohnung von Ariane (Bulle Ogier), unten ihr BDSM Studio. Olivier (Gérard Depardieu) ist an sich ganz unbedeutend, ein Kleinkrimineller, der durch Zufall auf das geheime Studio stösst. Sie erwischt ihn während eines Einbruchs und fortan hilft er ihr bei der Arbeit als Domina. Enfant Terrible Barbet Schroeder bietet uns ein gegensätzliches Liebespaar an. Nicht nur der Altersunterschied, die sexuelle Erfahrung und das Einkommen trennen beide. Bis dahin lebte Olivier in der Welt oben und Ariane unten. Eine Liebesgeschichte zwischen den Stockwerken, zwischen Maledom und Femdom beginnt, die wir dem Film nur aus einem einzigen Grund abnehmen: Gerard Depardieu. Seine Figur besitzt nichts, dass er dieser Frau bieten könnte, ausser Neugier und Abenteuergeist. Beides spielt Depardieu nicht nur, er strahlt es mit jeder Faser seines Leibes aus! Wir glauben dieser älteren Dame, wie sie den jungen "Schüler" immer anziehender findet. Um aber zu begreifen, dass beide immer noch Welten voneinander getrennt leben, bietet Schroeders Film so einiges auf: Kostüme von Karl Lagerfeld und das Set-Design von Allen Jones. Fotografiert wurde das Werk von keinem Geringeren als Nestor Almendros, dem wohl besten Kameramann seiner Zeit! Es gibt nicht viele Filme, welche die Welt des BDSM so verstanden haben wie Schroeders Werk. All die Geräte, sie sind nur Spielzeug. Entscheidend ist die Vorstellung, dass hier eine Herrin ihrem Untergebenen gebietet und ihn heranzieht. Sie braucht den Masochismus des Mannes, er geniesst ihre Überlegenheit. Daraus entsteht ihre Amour Fou. Ein Märchen aber hat Schroeder nicht gemacht, denn sein Paar muss Beziehungsprobleme durchleben, wie wir alle sie kennen. Ist es für die priviligierte Domina und den Kleinkriminellen gar unmöglich, als gleichberechtigtes Paar zu leben? Während einer Tour durch den Wald kommen sie von der Strasse ab - buchstäblich vom Weg. Die treibende Kraft ihrer Liebe, das ist die masochistische Lust. Erst als Olivier wie wild mit dem Auto durch den Wald jagt, kann er Ariane eine genauso grosse Lust verschaffen wie sie ihm. (Dazu gibts unsere Film List "Arthaus Exzess - Frankreich in den 70ern" auf cinegeek.de
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
In Maitresse, a petty criminal, Olivier (Gerard Depardieu), and his accomplice break into and attempt to rob a flat. The flat is, in fact, an S&M dungeon, and Olivier and friend are apprehended by the mistress, Ariane (Bulle Ogier), and her vicious-looking Doberman pinscher. Olivier and Ariane are immediately intrigued by one another and embark on a love affair. As the story progresses, Olivier comes to terms with Ariane's profession, and she occasionally incorporates him into her work. But Olivier cannot abide that there is a mysterious other man in Ariane's life called Gautier, whom Ariane refuses to discuss. Olivier resolves to find Gautier and confront him, with disastrous consequences.
Maitresse was controversial in its day; originally, it was banned in Britain and given an X rating in the U.S. for its graphic depiction of, among other sado-masochistic activities, Ariane nailing a client's penis to a board (an act that, according to reports, was not simulated). The film's depiction of sexual activity is less shocking in an age of ubiquitous internet pornography[1], and that probably is to the film's benefit. At its core, this is a relationship story, and it is a good one. Depardieu's Olivier is restlessly searching for someone or something to give meaning and direction to his life; Ogier's Ariane, so imposing in her role as dominatrix, seems much smaller and more fragile once she removes her wig, and is equally ready to find someone to love on her own terms, to fulfil her own emotional and sexual needs. Schroeder skilfully portrays the process through which they negotiate - in fits and starts, and not always successfully - the power balance of their relationship.
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[1] Although many viewers may find the scenes of horses being slaughtered in an abattoir difficult to watch.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/31/23
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