The first half of the film is mostly beautiful, enjoyably naff erotica, with a great 70s soundtrack; as the titular character explores the sensual advantages of her open marriage (save for an uncomfortable interlude with two voyeuristic houseworkers who don't seem to be having entirely consensual sex...). But the second half of the film, in which Emmanuelle is pressured into taking sexual "education" from a controlling older man, who man-handles her into situations she is uncomfortable with, gives her away as a prize and eventually has her raped, is sinister to say the least. Particularly because it's clear that the film makers feel these scenarios are acceptable and presumably even a turn-on? For me, this was just disturbing, and negated any previous erotic enjoyment. I hope this serves as a helpful warning to others, as I could have done with one!
Review of Emmanuelle
