Disclaimer: This is not a review full of spoilers. Here I will only offer my thoughts and recommend it based on certain criteria. You must watch the movie for yourself and enjoy it in all of its pure, unfiltered, brand new glory.
A couple months ago my friends were discussing this independent film set in Australia where two best friends fall in love with each others’ sons—naturally, my first reaction was “What?!” Despite my innate aversion, they seemed to love, or should I say “adore,” the movie and raved about how phenomenal it was. However, their positive reviews weren’t strong enough to convince me.
Then one day my best friend and I were scrolling through Netflix and happened upon Adore, said film about forbidden love. We both recognized how ridiculous the plot was, but we watched it anyway. Aside from the gist of the film, I won’t say more. All I will say is that the film was at times as disturbing as one can imagine, yet as endearing as one cannot imagine. My best friend and I weirdly sympathized with the otherwise perverted mothers and wanted the weird relationships to work out. It’s a psychologically troubling movie to say the least.
Adore boasts incredible scenery that makes viewers want to travel to Australia immediately and break ties with their previous lives: it’s that stunning. The beauty of the protagonists adds to the allure of the film, as well as the impracticality of the plot. Two beautiful, middle-aged women who look like 20-year-olds who fall in love with two teenage boys who look like GQ models. The plot itself, as previously explained, is pretty bizarre and moves relatively slowly. Yet the ending of the film happens super quickly and when it ends abruptly, you think, “Was that it? Did it end? Is there more?” All in all, I’m still kind of conflicted about the movie…
If you’ve seen Adore, please let me know your thoughts below! Or if you have any recommendations for independent films, comment as well!
Name: Adore
Year: 2013
Actors: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frecheville
Rating: 3/5
Sass and the City 
I entirely agree with you!
The plot of the movie is so obscene and strange, but the film is just so beautifully done that you just go along with it.
Its not a movie for the close-minded, but definitely a fantastic art house film with perfect casting!
The cinematography reminds me a small amount of that in Candy, another unconventional Australian film.
Despite catching myself pull some very strange faces in certain scenes, i fell in love with (adore!) this gorgeous film.
I’m glad yo hear you agree! It’s a difficult movie to digest because of its troubling nature, but I think you’re right… The cinematography definitely charms you!
I found the chemistry between Xavier and Robin totally believable and found myself wanting him to say something to her – to convince her to stay with him. I for some reason am not a disturbed by the scenario as most – it seems that something like this could happen (and in all likelihood probably has somewhere, someplace, before) – it seems very natural that you end up attracted to those you spend the most time with (co workers, neighbors, etc). I was disappointed in the dialog (with exception to a few scenes, which were perfect). It felt that there was little character development – we only hear minimal conversations about the relationships themselves, and while I understand that leaving it for the viewer to figure out is part of the structure, I found it to be amazing that the two men never spoke to each other aside from the fight and that the couples never ever spoke of their respective relationships – except for lamenting they were over or ending.
All in all I loved this movie – which is strange as I thought I would hate it.
I completely agree. For such a bizarre and rare plot, I would expect more developed and insightful dialogue. But I suppose the silence was part of the intrigue and artistic appeal. Thank you for your reflections! I love hearing other viewers’ thoughts on films. 🙂