Customer Reviews

Bliss

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Joseph and Maria are about to be married. They are riding to the wedding chapel in separate limousines-black for him, white for her, of course. Joseph rides with his best friend, Tanner, confiding all those last minute wedding day jitters. Maria rides with her parents, feeling a little nauseous from her nerves. Her mother warns her not to get any vomit on her dress. They arrive at the chapel, and all that nervous tension fades when they look into each other's eyes at the altar. Everything seems just normal for this couple at the precipice of their life together.

At first.

Seven months later, Joseph and Maria are already feuding over obsessive behaviors, emotional disconnection, inadequate bedroom performance, and an unwillingness to start a family. There's trouble in paradise, and just when things couldn't get any worse, it appears as if Maria is seeing a local sex therapist by the name of Balthazar. This is what every man dreads: Not only is his wife sleeping with another man, she's paying him for it. Fantabulous.

So far, aside from the quick pace and attention to detail, "Bliss" seems geared to become a formulaic romance story about a troubled newlywed couple. But it is when Joseph and Balthazar first meet that the film shows its true colors, and becomes one of the most honest, emotionally wrenching films ever made about love, sex, and abuse. It strips us of the awareness that we are watching a movie as we become completely engrossed in these lives we care so much about.

As Joseph agrees with Balthazar that traditional therapy is not the answer to his wife's many psychological troubles, the heart of the film becomes the discussions between the two men. Brutally honest discussions about sex, love, and the secrets of all their pasts when they finally come to light in the climax of the film.

All the characters are played with award-worthy style: Craig Sheffer as Joseph is remarkably strong-willed, hinting very subliminally at the wounded man beneath. Sheryl Lee, one of the great actresses working in film, is so sympathetic as Maria, that even when we are disgusted at her choices in the marriage, we are still with her because we can sense something wrong beyond her control. The big role here, though, belongs to Terence Stamp as the sex therapist Balthazar. This is one of the great performances not nominated for an Oscar. Stamp, instead of simply making Balthazar an all-knowing caricature of a therapist, reveals himself gradually, and emerges as one of the most interesting, well-layered characters of the cinema.

"Bliss" is the only film ever made by writer-director Lance Young, but I pray to God that it is not his last. A first effort this astonishing deserves a worthy follow-up. Along with "American Beauty," this is probably neck and neck for my all-time favorite film. It's a film from the heart that goes for the throat, not for the prudish, and completely unforgettable.

One of the best movies about love and marriage I've ever seen. The raw sexual energy jumped off the screen. Just when you think you know what the movie is about and where it's going, it takes you into a more intimate place, the minds of the two married people. Craig Sheffer is excellent and plays his part like a fine instrument. He has unbelievable potential as an actor. Sheryl Lee lays herself bare as she allows us to really know her character. Terrance Stamp was so convincing I thought he was a therapist through the entire film. Lance Young did a phenomenal job directing and he should have won some kind of an award. This is a movie that married people should watch together, without any distractions. It's a must-see.

This movie is moving drama that explores the relationship of a young married couple just on the edge of crisis. Sheryl Lee is convincing in her role as Maria, the paranoid self-critical wife. Joseph, portrayed by Craig Sheffer (in his best role since "Norman Maclean" in River)is intense and loyal to Maria, although he has difficulty getting through to her, and knowing how to help his deeply troubled wife because Maria is dealing with issues buried deeply from childhood. Terrence Stamp, is wonderful as the colorful therapist "Balthazar", and the acting between the three main characters is complementary. Joseph learns more about himself as a man and as a husband through the course of the film, that he begins to understand the meaning of unconditional love, even if it means he might lose Maria. Great movie, raw emotion...why isn't Craig Sheffer in more roles like this!?

I think that people who bough or want to watch this movie are prone to learn something about themselves, their sexuality, and their intimacy, unless, that is, they do not know anything about the film. But most of us who bought it knew something about the film already. And I believe it is a good bias, relevant nevertheless.
This film makes you think, it makes you want to go deeper within yourself, it is not purely entertainment, although the acting is good, compassionate and believable. For people who may be looking for a sex-based movie that will put the perfect touch of spice on a date this movie will not work. For those who want to know more about themselves and their relationships this movie presents a very refreshing and important approach.
I watched this movie in the theatre around 1998, in Barcelona, where I am from (it was titled "El Amor Es Extasis"). I don't remember exactly why it caught my attention, but I do remember that I was facing several challenging issues in intimacy. I guess I read the synopsis and fell drawn to it... I loved it, it really changed the way I thought about sex, as well as intimacy. Ten years later I find myself in a situation very similar to the one in the movie and I did everything I could to find it. I needed to watch it again. I saw it in Spanish and I didn't know any actors, so it was hard to find this movie in its original English title. But I found it!!
I watched it again and loved it even more, I guess it is more relevant than ever. But don't get me wrong, this is not a movie to help you heal your traumatized partner but to personally expand your horizons about your own sexuality and intimacy and grow as a person, and thus within and with your relationship.
I am not a movie critic but I find the movie quite low-budget, nothing fancy about the way it's been filmed and whatnot. You are not watching Blue Planet here. The movie is about the message it carries and the wisdom-filled script, and the acting, again, pays tribute to its message.
I personally started to look more introspectively, learning more about intimacy, about my own issues that are preventing me to be the sexual and intimate being I can fully be, and without even noticing I have changed the way I see women in general. I am even more attracted to them I was before but more meaningfully. Sex is over-marketed and is misleading everyone, both women and men, which is causing (together with ever-changing gender roles in society) intimacy relationship be handicapped. Men see a woman passing by and we can't help to be attracted, which is normal, we are designed for it, but the attraction is translated immediately to sexual desires... And the truth is that women, as well as men, are much more than sexual beings. This movie reminded me that it is through sex and intimacy that we can really get to touch one's core as well as ours, and I guess that at this moment in my life I am ready to not explore my core but expose it and share it with someone who is able to do the same, I am ready for a sexually rich and meaningful intimate relationship.
It is important to differentiate sex from intimacy. Sex can be good and uncompromising, satisfactory at the least. But intimacy is deeper, has to be opened, and it is where vulnerability finds healing and bliss, completeness, both with yourself and your partner. Until now my sexual relationships have focused too much on orgasm - once you and your partner come mission is accomplished... There's more about intimacy, and sex of course, and this movie is a good introduction to other philosophies that aim for more spiritual and meaningful relationships, personal growth, and intimacy.
I loved it and I am glad I own it. I am sure I will watch it again, as a good reference to have and reminder of what I want my intimate relationship to be.

This film is truly brilliant. I never understood why it didn`t attract viewers some more -- maybe because they expected to see hot scenes and instead they got a serios film that deals with the effects of incest and love. "Bliss" was cut before release to get a miserable "R" rating.
But the film's impact stays the same, I hope. I recommend this film to everyone mature enough to appreciate a work of art.

I watched this movie after borrowing it from the local video store. My only incentive to watch it was that it was rated "Two Thumbs Up" by Siskel & Ebert. Expecting nothing, I found the movie to be a truly excellent piece of work. It is definitely a movie to watch alone.

To fully understand the complexities involved one must have shared a relationship with a person while cohabiting with that person. It made me question my expectations, and being a male in a similar situation, I was able to empathize with the male lead.

Lastly, I was surprised to see that this movie was not based on a book, but actually written for production.

I'm not sure what I expected when I rented this film. I had never heard of it before, and the only reason I had for renting was the praise from Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert on the front of the box. The movie starts off at a chaotic pace, but then begins to develop a rhythm, which I take to be part of its message. It's an amazing movie: One of my all-time favorites. I couldn't believe how utterly absorbing this movie was. It's funny, romantic, exotic, touching, and even tragic when it is learned that one of the characters has suffered from severe sexual abuse. Terence Stamp gives a performance that should've won him an Oscar. He's fantastic, and the two leads, Sheffer and Lee are also terrific. The movie is an experience unlike any I've had before, watching a film. I couldn't take my eyes off it. I hadn't been so into a movie since the first time I saw "American Beauty." This movie isn't for the faint of heart, though, I must warn you. It isn't so much explicit about the topic of sex as it is blunt and straight forward. Amazing...

I found no weakness in this movie. I've seen too many poor, yet popular films lately. What a relief to find a truly realistic, intellctual film about a tough subject filmed so well. I am a physician and was moved by "bliss"

I don't remember the release to theaters of "Bliss'. The only reason I went for it was the association of Leigh Taylor-Young who I think is a fantastic actress.

As another person has stated I have only the reservation that the sexual disfunction in the story is related to sexual abuse but in light of how the story is otherwise handled by both actors and the director that winds up being a minor 'nit' for me.

I found the actors to be totally believable and engrossing. All the sets fit. I forgot to look where it was filmed though. The photography and lighting set the moods very well.

This isn't a heavy breathing porno it's a very viable story of people with problems that so many seem to have and so few are willing to talk about.

It should be required viewing at possibly a college level. OK, not required. For some folks the word "Sex" sends them into a tizzie.

I was ver impressed by this video. But who do I tell?

Bliss is a powerful and absorbing movie which explore the nature of adult sexuality and love. The plot revolves around the relationship of a newly married yuppie couple,Steve and Maria.We quickly discover that Maria is a compulsive neurotic bordering on the psychotic who is already in therapy and who soon reveals herself to be incapable of having an orgasm. Although an acutely sensitive person she is essentially very loving and copes by faking it. This leads her and eventually her husband to meet with Baltazzar, a sex therapist played with a beguiling calm charisma by Terence Stamp.
They thus begin a difficult journey leading to some very important discoveries about themselves. On this journey the Director, Lance Young, engages strongly with such themes as the very nature of sex and love and our capacity to fully give.Steve is a reasonably sensitive man, but like most men has to deal with a strong sexual libido and a dominant male culture which encourages us to put its satisfaction first.His journey is therefore towards increasing awareness and selflessness which ultimately brings its own rewards as he begins to understand the nature of real love and to be able to give and receive it.
The sex we see is never gratuitous and has an emotional reality which is rooted in the context of this developing relationship. It is light years away from porn and the simplistic banality of much Hollywood sexual depiction. I suspect many men will be challenged by it in the same way Steve was by the situation he found himself faced with, but it is a journey worth taking.Craig Sheffer and Sheryl Lee give performances as the young couple which ultimately draw us into the movie,but it is Stamp who holds the film together supported by an engaging and often beautiful sound track that heightens its mood.
There is a nice twist at the end when Baltazzar embarks on his own new relationship and Steve wryly reflects on the difference between giving advice and putting it into practice with someone you love and whose personality you therefore accept as part of the deal.A film for adults with open hearts and minds. Highly recommend