The story and exposition in this film is so convoluted and impossible to decipher that I can't even tell you why it's called "Aimee and Jaguar." The main characters as Lilly and Felice. This is a film based on a novel which is in turn based on a true story. Something tells me a knowledge of the source material is necessary to even begin to comprehend what is going on here.

The film has two themes, basically. Nazi German during it's final days, as Jews are still ferreted out and taken to concentration camps and lesbianism. The former is a much filmed and plotted theme that has been served endlessly better by a gross of other films. By injecting a story of lesbian into this "era," however, the filmmakers seem to have hoped for a unique twist on a very, very tired plot. But this is like adding a twist of lemon to water. Sure, it's different, but it's still just water and lemon.

I was afraid, after 90 minutes of watching this 2 hour film that my boredom with the piece was, perhaps, fueled by my lack of interest in lesbian themed films. I was, in fact, attending the screening to accompany a female friend of mine (who knows Sappho quite well) and had read the source novel. She too found the film dull and prolonged. In the film, the climax comes when the inevitable happens. This is about 10 minutes before the film ends. But in the novel, the inevitable is only the beginning of the story. Where this film leaves of is actually where it should begin.

One of the most disappointing things about the film is the totally disagreeable main characters. Lilly is a sort of dumb blonde who is seduced by Felice. She is quite unlikable. Worse yet, after she comes out, she is treated horribly by the script (of course, based on true events). But the girls who are the secondary characters are all cruel. None of them have the heart to help this poor housefrau with her "coming out." Felice, meanwhile, is a really rather drab woman who dumps her girlfriend to seduce Lilly and then leaves her high and dry. There's no one to like or root for here. We could care less about these women or their fate. It's all rather pointless.

There were some things to like in the film. Often it reminded me of "1984" with it's endless newscasts and snippets of Hitler's speeches wafting in from nearby radios. The sex scenes were interesting and unique. I imagine they are quite erotic and unique to lesbian viewers who have witnessed more films in the genre than I have. The initial kiss between the female leads is also interesting. But overall, "Aimee and Jaguar" is a film that leaves you cold. It's impossible to feel for the main characters because they are so unlikable. And they are caught up in a plot we have seen carried out again and again on film.

Still, if you think this film would be appealing to you, give it a chance. Many people in the screening I attended found the piece "powerful" and emotional. I did not.

Note:

Directed by Max Farberbock.

In German with subtitles.

More of Lodger's reviews indexed alphabetically! Just click your favorite letter to go there.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

HOME

In Association with:

Posters From!

Get your Movies

Please Visit