Latex and larceny meet in this sexy thriller about Alberta (Leelee Sobieski, Eyes Wide Shut), a small-town screw-up who escapes to Canada only to move in with a beautiful but tough dominatrix. Secretly taking on her roomma... more »te s identity, Alberta gets caught between half a million stolen dollars and the brutal thugs who want it back.« less
"In one of the DVD special features, the director talks for a while about the human condition, the dramatic aspects of the story, and so forth. Then the interviewer asks what will get people to watch the movie. "Leelee Sobieski as a dominatrix. Tricia Helfer as a dominatrix," he says. At least he understood what movie he was making.
For a movie whose main selling point is the sex appeal of its stars, the titillation factor is surprisingly low and the script is surprisingly funny. Sobieski could easily coast on her looks but gives a convincing performance as a clumsy, dorky, walking disaster area. Helfer, best known as Cylon #6 in the TV series "Battlestar Galactica," shows that she really can act, even if she mostly needs to act exasperated with Sobieski's character. The script is sometimes a little clumsy, as in the scenes establishing Sobieski as a klutz, but it's not a major problem.
Curvy, pulchritudinous Sobieski clearly wins in the sex appeal department, even though skinny-chick Helfer is pretty and appeared in Playboy magazine. However, apart from S&M play-acting, neither displays anything you couldn't see on network television.
I did find the movie's S&M theme a little confusing. As a dominatrix, Sobieski's character goes on a date with a guy. He gives her money. She pushes him around for a while. And he doesn't get any sex. How is that different from most normal dates?
There was a minor problem with the sound. I had to turn the volume up to hear what the characters were saying. Not sure if the problem was with the film or with the DVD.
Overall, a funny movie with good performances and enjoyable eye candy. The S&M theme is really just an excuse for Sobieski and Helfer dress up and act out, but who cares? It's fun to watch."
Actually pretty good.
Chanel Beck | Arizona, USA | 06/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This was actually a pretty good movie. If you like movies with empowering women that aren't chasing men the whole time then you'll like this. There's alot of action, suspense, drama, and a little comedy. Leelee Sobieski's acting is very good in this movie as she plays an awkward naive girl, her acting is "stiff" because her character is stiff. Tricia Helfer is awesome as always and the Dominatrix costumes are cool. All in all it was a fun movie."
Quirky comedic thriller
grrlfriend | Calgary, Alberta Canada | 06/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This comedy thriller is a very entertaining exploration of dominance and submission in interpersonal relationships; the dominatrix setting is simply an extension of the metaphor (as well as providing great costumes for Tricia and Leelee). The film is well written, well acted with a great look and a killer soundtrack. While I don't necessarily expect everyone to find it as clever and well crafted as I do, I'm amazed to read that there are people who didn't even enjoy it. Even if you choose not to delve into the depths of the metaphor, it's still a damn fun movie on the surface!"
Great Movie
MikeyJ | Minneapolis, MN USA | 02/01/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like movies that are a little different, this ones for you!!! The fact that it stars Tricia Helfer and Leelee Sobieski ( My favorite actress of all time) doesn't hurt! :-)"
Collar me LeeLee
Aurum Rabosa | The Great Basin | 02/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"LeeLee Sobieski is so cute trying out her new profession. I would've enjoyed watching a session with Celene (Tricia Helfer) dominating one of her submissives. I never realized LeeLee was so well endowed but those tight S&M outfits sure display her swollen proturbences prominently. She was so funny performing her role ad libitum with her first client. It would've been nice to have seen her evening with Paul (Jacob Tierney) mature before the big plot twist took over. The one thing I did not understand was the difference in dominance exhibited by Celene over Rene (Lothaire Bluteau) versus the insane brothers Issac (Michael Adamthwaite) and Aaron (Michael Eklund). I think an old-fashioned bare-handed over-the-knee bare-bottom spanking of Alberta by Issac would really have fleshed out this film and given her added incentive for revenge.
For a more cerebral, but still humorous, take on S&M watch Secretary, the look Maggie Gyllenhaal flashes James Spader is priceless: Secretary."