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Love (2015)

You may or may not have heard about Love, Gaspar Noé‘s boundary-pushing 3D porno about a couple, their intriguing neighbor, and the gratuitous sex that unfolds between all three.

It’s not a “great” film, per se. Nor does it fall under the umbrella of “feel good.” But like all of Noé’s ambitious endeavors — from crime drama I Stand Alone and gut-wrenching Irreversible to mind-bending Enter the Void — Love is an intoxicating visual experience to say the very least. Now that it’s available to watch on-demand, however, there are a few things you should be aware of before you sit down to watch, especially if you plan on watching with your significant other.

First a little background: the vaguely titled melodrama follows Murphy (Karl Glusman), an American filmmaker in Paris who meets the French woman of his dreams, Electra (played by first-time actress Aomi Muyock), a flighty artist with a taste for the nightlife. From the very first scene to the last, we’re invited into the bedroom of these passionate lovers on a destructive mission to do anything and everything together, leading them to fulfill fantasy after fantasy until they choose to invite young Omi (Klara Kristin) into the fold. Though the film hinges on the aftermath of their threesome, it becomes increasingly apparent through Murphy’s disjointed memories that his turbulent relationship with Electra was over long before they got to know Omi.

After sitting through the two and a half-hour glorified porno in 3D back in October, I can confidently say that by watching at home, in 2D, you will experience certain scenes of this film somewhat differently. You will miss out on the moment of excessive 3D ejaculation in addition to Murphy’s, erm, manhood growing toward you. So if you’re into penises coming through your TV screen (hey, to each his own!), I’m sorry to say that you will be mildly disappointed with the 2D outcome of those particular moments.

Another thing to note is if you’re watching with your partner, be prepared to have the threesome discussion afterwards. Unless you guys are swingers. Or if you’re willing to get super stoned beforehand and laugh along with the fact that Murphy is the worst. Then you may both thoroughly enjoy Love. And to that I say, more power to you. Being it’s a boundary-pushing film, however, there are aspects of the film that challenge traditional ideas of monogamy, cheating, and trust. So unless you two lovebirds are on the same page about your wants, needs, and fantasies; I’d say maybe skip it as a unit and watch on your own time. This is not a movie worth fighting about.

Potential relationship time bombs aside; if you’re both film buffs, then it’s safe to say you’ll both agree Love is a visual feat. It’s Noé at his rawest and perhaps, most self-indulgent, which fittingly goes hand-in-hand with his protagonist’s incurably narcissistic ways. There are scenes that are uncomfortable and difficult to watch, most notably when Murphy and Electra grow violent toward one another. On the contrary, however, you will see that Noé has one hell of a twisted sense of humor that, even in melodramatic instances, will keep you laughing out loud.

Needless to say, if you’re in the mood to check out something wholly unlike anything you’ve seen before, check out Love. Just make sure to close your blinds first. You don’t want the neighbors getting the wrong idea.

[Stream Love on Amazon Video]