I watched a movie tonight called Left Bank -- a gothic horror thriller, basically, disguised at first as a sexy tale of love and mystery. I say "sexy" because the lead actress is naked through a lot of this movie -- and she and her boyfriend practice various positions before the movie's half over. Yet...it's tastefully done.

And integral to the story.

I mean it.

Left Bank is a Belgian film from director Pieter van Hees and the lead actress, Eline Kuppens, does a great turn as the Rosemaryesque heroine of the story. When young competitive runner Marie meets archer Bobby, the chemistry is undeniable. They embark on a love affair. While resting up from some health issues, she moves in with him -- and it's in his apartment in the area called the "Left Bank" that the inklings of something dreadful begin.

A woman named Hella disappeared months before, and the mystery of her disappearance becomes a source of morbid fascination for young Marie as she discovers secrets of the apartments where she lives.

I can't tell too much more without giving away the farm, but there are ritual occult dealings, a possible cult, pagan doings, hints of witchcraft -- and Marie's crazy mother who starts figuring out something's wrong with the Left Bank a bit earlier than her daughter does.

Despite a little confusion toward the end, it has a great ending that puts a spin on the story I didn't expect. I enjoyed it. It doesn't have the brilliance of The Others or Let the Right One In, but it was enjoyable. Not a scarefest, exactly, but a quiet tale of ancient mysteries in the modern world.

Here's the trailer for the movie:



Best,

Douglas Clegg

http://www.DouglasClegg.com