Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by mr grits (A) on July 21, 2011 at 00:38:19

A classic oft told tale of an English girls school which is somewhat short on substance but very loooooong on style. This film is eye candy, an ocular massage, and a tease of the senses.The colors, art direction, and cinematography far outweigh what story line we are left with.

Eva Green is 'Miss G' who is one of the long standing teachers and diving coach of the school. She has her swimming and diving team selected and it is comprised the captain 'Di' (Juno Temple), her best friend Poppy (Imogen Poots), and a small array of younger girls. The story begins with bucolic shots of the country sides and interior shots of the girls singing their morning hymns. As they sing in chapel the ever radiant and chic Miss G floats through drawing admiring glances from her team and returning some of those glances herself.

We see a school life that has Di lording over her team and definitely hoping to act on a crush she has for Miss G. Things go frustratingly along until a new girl arrives from Spain. She is an aristocrat and should be shown a bit more consideration that most girls. When Fiamma (Maria Valverde) enters school she sends a shock wave to the girls and Miss G with her natural beauty, maturity, and class. Miss G is smitten and soon, against her best interests, begins to slowly pursue Fiamma who is reluctant if not frightened.

From here Di's jealousy and hatefulness lash out at Fiamma which is offset my Miss G's pursuit of her 'friendship'.

The story is redundant but the style is not. The production and art direction makes this a nice, relaxing feast for the eyes with Green and Valverde used as cherries on top. Green never looked better and the young Valverde seductive with her lush lips, long hair, and even her crooked nose that can't stop her being a classic beauty.

2.5 out of 5 for story
4.0 out of 5 for style