
Additionally, there's a very primal ritual running through the sex scenes in this film that speaks volumes about human evolution versus technological evolution. It's about the loss of human contact and connection between people in the same room it's about perception and misjudgment. "The Center of the World" has a lot to say about human sexuality, loneliness, and money and the simple link between them in this modern-age. This film is definitely not for all tastes, but that would be a loss for those folks. On the most basic level is where we leave "Pretty Woman", however. "The Center of the World" is an intellectual adult's version of "Pretty Woman" (although, I couldn't help but notice a few similarities to Egoyam's "Exotica"). If this is the case, then that was a very wise choice for the material and tone of the same. To the best of my knowledge "The Center of the World" was shot on a digital camera. Reviewed by postmanwhoalwaysringstwice N/A Filmic Art in Digital Not a perfect film, but very thought-provoking. We buy into the Pretty Woman fantasy, just like they do (Florence less than Richard, but still) We imagine that Florence lets her guard down and learns to care for someone, and Richard tries to connect with a real woman rather than some porn fantasy.īut this is the anti-Pretty Woman (which was a travesty of a film). The real trick? Hopelessly, we root for them to heal each other somehow. And though the ending is ambiguous, the audience instinctively knows that something is ruined between them. The last few scenes-Richard's pointless, (somewhat stereotypically masculine) act of rage, and Florence's cool expression of her sexual independence-reveal how damaged these characters are. In the end, she makes the only choice she understands. I don't doubt that she wants him, but after (or during) the point when she gives in, she realizes how much of her desire was fantasy. He bought her body and even of her enjoyment in the weekend, but he can't just buy a relationship. Even conflicted, however, but she doesn't make the mistake of thinking that her feelings are love.
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But she is also conflicted by her feelings, which are somewhere in that gray area of real affection and sexual attraction. Similarly, Florence is cold and not a little cruel. He has no right to buy her feelings, but he is allowed to be confused by her lack of them (given their camaraderie) But he's also emotionally stunted and more than a little pervy in his desire to buy not just sexual satisfaction, but human connection. Richard wants intimacy and is a nice goofy guy. There's good and bad in both that makes them equally sympathetic. Many reviewers took sides with one or the other, which I think is a mistake. She's conflicted about her role as her feelings change-does she want to sleep with him? does that make her any less of a whore? Yet it's clear that as she gets to know Richard, she likes him. His rage and frustration confuse him he's empty and often resorts to money to fix things.įlorence (Parker) is a bit of a cipher at first. In reality doesn't take the time to get to know Florence at all. On the other hand, he's seduced by the surface of things-watching too much porn, he really believes that money and a good time will make those sexy porn-queens care about him. He's a big kid who just wants some intimacy, but doesn't understand the basic complexity of human connection. He gets aggressive with video games he's instinctively caring, assuming a strong "masculine" role (though it's obvious he's not the strong one).

But Sarsgaard, brilliant as usual shows us his many layers.
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Richard Longman (Sarsgaard) starts out as a stock character: the nerdy, socially inept computer millionaire who doesn't know how to get a girlfriend. It's the characters that keep you thinking well after the credits. Not for the straight-to-video look, and not for the sex scenes (during which Wang mostly focuses on the characters' faces rather than bodies). Reviewed by rajax N/A terrific characters (spoilers)Ĭenter of the World is one of those movies that sticks in your mind.
