A Woefully Uninspired Erotic Thriller That’s Neither Attractive Nor Thrilling

Because the directional debut from model-turned-filmmaker Damian Hurley, Strictly Confidential is a poorly acted erotic thriller that enters the realm of the bizarrely Freudian with the belief that it stars his personal mom. A dull story of a younger girl drawn right into a world of conspiracy, lies, and hidden secrets and techniques, Strictly Confidential appears like its script was generated by AI, the actors have been studying off a teleprompter, and after they weren’t certain what their strains have been, they determined to kiss one another. Fortunately, at simply 21 years outdated, Hurley, who additionally wrote the screenplay, has loads of time to enhance.

Strictly Confidential is against the law drama from director/author Damian Hurley. Starring Elizabeth Hurley and Georgia Lock, Strictly Confidential facilities round a lady who’s desperately attempting to uncover the reality behind her greatest buddy’s suicide. Lauren McQueen, Genevieve Gaunt, and Freddie Thorp star within the film alongside Hurley and Lock.

Set on a Caribbean Island on the anniversary of the loss of life of the younger and delightful Rebecca (Lauren McQueen), a tight-knit group visits the mom and sister of their deceased buddy. Right here they meet Rebecca’s mom, performed by Damien’s real-life mother, the mannequin and actress Elizabeth Hurley, and her sister Jemma (Genevieve Gaunt), each of whom are nonetheless reeling from the loss of life of their member of the family. On the middle of all of it is Rebecca’s greatest buddy, the clueless Mia (Georgia Lock), who painfully uncovers the layers of secrets and techniques and deception behind Rebecca’s remaining days.

Damian Hurley Would not Belief Audiences To Learn Between The Strains

Strictly Confidential is extra vapid than the typical erotic thriller

Strictly Confidential’s principal crime is having nothing to say. Intercourse scenes are scattered all through between the varied characters, who’re both dishonest on or mendacity to at least one one other, the twists are uninteresting, and the eroticism is off-putting. In nearly each scene there’s a point out of Rebecca, and, in a stunning flip of occasions, all just isn’t what it appears. As Mia progressively realizes that there’s extra to the story than she initially thought, her expressions of shock, horror, and disappointment are so over-the-top that Hurley appears to underestimate our capability to observe a fundamental plot.

Strictly Confidential sparked dialogue earlier than it was even launched as a result of intercourse scenes involving the director’s mom, which Hurley mentioned he “felt completely regular” directing (by way of The Times). Sadly, the identical can’t be mentioned in regards to the viewers watching, who, with the data of the familial relationship, are prone to really feel considerably uncomfortable. Whereas there’s sexual rigidity between just about each character in Strictly Confidential, the erotic scenes really feel oddly shoehorned in, nearly as if Hurley was attempting to pad out the runtime to deliver the 89-minute film into feature-length territory.

Technically, Strictly Confidential seems to be simply superb, though it usually feels extra like a made-for-TV film than a theatrical function movie. The musical cues are in your face, bombastic and over-the-top when the characters are within the metropolis, and elusive and unique as soon as they make it to the island. Narratively, there’s a lot that doesn’t add up and, though the characters are purported to be deeply related, it usually looks like they have not spoken for the final yr. As soon as the large twist is revealed, all logic nicely and actually goes out the window.

Strictly Confidential Turns Up The Stress In Its Last Act

However Hurley has a protracted strategy to go as a filmmaker if he desires to succeed

In fact, there’s extra to Rebecca’s story than her premature loss of life, and, regardless of all its illogical faults, as soon as all is revealed within the remaining act, Strictly Confidential begins to select up steam, changing into a much more compelling movie. As all the varied secrets and techniques between the characters are outed, and the not-so-subtle foreshadowing pays off, what’s left is a film whose ending we may have guessed, however it’s nonetheless satisfying to see it largely come collectively. It was under no circumstances good, however the ultimate reveal was Strictly Confidential at its most pressing.

Whereas Hurley’s ability as a filmmaker was in query for almost all of the film’s runtime, there are round 10 minutes close to the tip that trace that, with some work, he may hone his abilities additional. Strictly Confidential was a movie that didn’t must be made, because it bore not one of the attraction of erotic classics like Eyes Broad Shut or Fundamental Intuition. However, it could stand as a responsible pleasure for some. Sadly, Hurley is simply too younger and inexperienced to tug off this challenge with the depth, maturity, and self-awareness that the most effective erotic thrillers require.