The institution of marriage is replete with flaws and complications. With more than one in every two marriages ending in divorce, secrets and lies are common and, oftentimes, unforgiveable. In the new dramatic thriller, "Chloe," one woman who suspects that her husband is unfaithful must compromise herself in a desperate attempt to save her marriage.
"Chloe" follows Catherine (Julianne Moore), a wife who is suspicious of her husband's infidelity in their failing marriage. She concocts a plan to hire a prostitute to seduce her husband, David (Liam Neeson), so that she can use this encounter as proof that he is cheating.
Catherine and David are forced to redefine and alter their relationship in order to solve the unforeseen problems that the prostitute Chloe (Amanda Seyfried) presents. Bringing Chloe into their lives quickly builds a tangled web of emotions as she begins a relationship with Catherine that ends up evolving into more than just a business transaction.
Although Catherine initially hires Chloe to prove her husband's deceitful infidelity, the affair that ensues soon becomes a way for Catherine to reconnect with her cheating husband. As the plot unfolds, the two women start an unexpected affair of their own, as Chloe forces Catherine to rediscover herself in an unsettling way.
Directed by Atom Egoyan ("The Sweet Hereafter," 1997), "Chloe" gracefully combines the genres of drama, thriller and romance into one gripping film. Egoyan makes a point to delve deeply into Chloe's character development as an introspective, disconnected prostitute.
Up−and−coming star Seyfried does a respectable job with her role considering that she is far outside of her comfort zone, usually playing innocent, heroine−like characters (such as her role in "Dear John," 2010). The signature doe−eyed expression she often uses to emphasize the young naïveté of her characters — think "Mean Girls" (2004) and "Mamma Mia" (2008) — becomes eerily erotic in the film, as Chloe recounts her escapades with David to Catherine.
As expected, veteran actors Moore and Neeson also deliver strong performances as a couple struggling with their stagnant marriage. Moore especially demonstrates superb acting ability in portraying the degeneration of the human mind into obsession and the transformation Catherine undergoes in order to believe in forgiveness and save her failing marriage.
The plot of the film progresses in a quick manner, and the characters develop to their fullest potential. The film's direction accurately portrays eroticism even when sex isn't made explicit on screen, heightening the characters' connections to one another. The artistic pairings of Catherine in her anguish and David in his ecstasy add to the emotional drama, propelling the film forward.
"Chloe" also triumphs in its originality. While the theme of infidelity is a common thread in movies, this film provides a different twist to this age−old dilemma through its arresting plot and original insight into lesbian love and prostitution.
At times, however, "Chloe" seems to overexploit the experience of sex. It is nice to see lesbianism tastefully portrayed in film, but the amount of sex in this movie feels kinky to the point of discomfort. Our voyeurism as viewers becomes a much more intense experience as love and lust intermingle, and while sex does keep the film going, it provides an overcharged, carnal atmosphere. Chloe's sensual nature permeates every scene as she makes her way into the Stewarts' lives, creating something of a creepy mood that sits uncomfortably with audiences throughout the film.
"Chloe" also lacks a realistic approach to the relationship between a man and a woman. Up until the end of the movie, Catherine and David's relationship makes sense: They are a married couple failing to communicate and quickly falling out of love. However, forgiveness and absolution come at an unnecessary time in the film, as the ending feels rushed, incomplete and unsatisfying. This sudden insensitivity to the nature of relationships seems out of place in an otherwise accurate portrayal of human life.
Overall, "Chloe" shines new light on prostitution and sexual love, providing an in−depth — if inconsistent — portrayal of human relationships. While the acting may be strong, the plot's overbearing emphasis on sex detracts from the film's overall success.
