Phantom Love (2007)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Nina Menkes

Writer:

Nina Menkes (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A surreal drama about an alienated family set in Koreatown, Los Angeles and Rishikesh, India. |

Cast

Allison Bell	...	Young Lulu
Lena Bubenechik	...	Young Mother
Michael Joseph Carr	...	Newscaster (voice)
Sherie Hall	...	Roulette Dealer #1
Wesley Katzir	...	Man in Car
Jackson Lee	...	Roulette Man
Laura Liguori	...	Fairy Princess
Juliette Marquis	...	Nitzan
Bobby Naderi	...	The Lover
Noel Olken	...	TV Preacher
Max Phyo	...	Bartender
Faina Rabinovich	...	Young Nitzan
Marina Shoif	...	Lulu
Tom Siviglia	...	Police Officer
Adi Spektor	...	Young Father
Anne Stinnett	...	Roulette Dealer #2

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Filming Locations:

India

Company:

KNR Productions

Why is this film called Phantom Love?

This film was so disappointing. From the blurb that made me decide to see Phantom Love (why is it called this?)I had expected something arty and thoughtful with beautiful imagery. It did have some interesting images but these often seemed random and made no sense. In fact they seemed like they were inserted to fill in time. In the end the effect was listless.

I believe the film was meant to be atmospheric, but it just wasn't. The lack of a coherent plot did not help matters. You might say it was mysterious, but I think it was just incoherent with no atmosphere.

The main character seemed to be disturbed but the plot did not draw me in enough to care about her situation. Without looking at the cast list I would not have known that you see the main character as a child. The film has very little context for the time, place or character. I am not a prude but the sex scenes (there were several) seemed pointless and confused me further, I recognised Lulu but I was not sure if it was the same man, different men, a lover, her husband or was she a prostitute. It was only when I saw the credits that I discovered the hairy back was meant to belong to her lover. This film did manage to make what should have been shocking (dream sequences involving Lulu's mother) seem a bit boring.

The nail filing actually made more sense, as it did give some indication of Lulu's emotional state. I will not fault the actors as I don't they had a lot to work on.

I do not know if the lack of context or flow in the film was because of ineptitude or because it was pretentious but the end result was dull.

I can't be bothered talking about it anymore.