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April 07, 2012

TAKE THIS WALTZ

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ColeSmithey.comThe reality of a committed marriage runs up against the promise of romantic exhilaration in Sarah Polley’s refreshing sophomore effort as a writer/director. The consistently amazing Michelle Williams is Margot, a tightly wrapped ball of late twentysomething insecurity whose mutually rewarding marriage to food-book author Lou (Seth Rogen) is hitting a few snags — not the least of which is budding sexual chemistry with her neighbor Daniel (Luke Kirby).

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Dreamy Luke pulls a rickshaw around town to support his habit as an artist. Without giving too much away, the film’s romantic tension practically levitates during two real-time scenes that encompass all the pent-up lust and sensual euphoria a film can capture.

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A verbal seduction in a café provides one of the hottest sex scenes ever filmed even if the characters never touch — much less remove any article of clothing. Nudity, however, is very much on the table in a shower scene that may do more to restore women’s pubic hair than 50 years of feminist yammering.

Take This Waltz, directed by Sarah Polley and starring Michelle Williams  and Seth Rogen, reviewed

Polley’s ear for naturalistic dialogue compliments her instincts as a filmmaker. As a director, the actress of such reputable dramas as “The Sweet Hereafter” understands how and when to let the language of cinema carry her audience away in a rapturous reverie of narrative bliss. Tiny character transformations occur during these moments of palpable ecstasy. Later on, such moments take on an entirely different meaning.

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Sarah Silverman does a welcome dramatic turn as Lou’s alcoholic sister Geraldine. Notable too is Seth Rogen’s ease with romantically dramatic material. “Take This Waltz” has a Cassavetes-like glow to its rough-hewn exterior that makes its delayed plot developments all the more revealing. What a gem.

Rated R. 116 mins.

4 StarsColeSmithey.com

Cozy Cole

ColeSmithey.com

 

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