Bliss (1997) User Reviews

Definitely different...

[Susie-7 · 6/10 · 27 December 1999]

I don't think this is a great movie, but I do think it has some great points. It deals with sexual dysfunction in a way that is different from most films. I'm not sure it's necessary to say that I'm going to give a spoiler here, since movies about a female's sexual dysfunction generally give the same cause for it, but for those who haven't noticed this, then I guess I'm going to give a spoiler here. Anyway, this film's different approach to sexual dysfunction is particularly apparent where Lee's character describes her past relationship with her father and how she felt about things at the time; few movies dare to stray from the typical "horrific memories of abuse that I repressed in the past are now ruining my life" approach. This film does not exploit Lee's character's past abuse, like so many other films seem to. Her past abuse is essential for understanding who her character is and what her relationships are with those around her, as this movie is a character and relationship study. Her abuse is not treated trivially or like some cheap plot device. It is also valuable to see how Lee's character's abuse affects her husband; so often, movies and television shows have the guy deal with such things in a highly unrealistic and polarized manner, even though knowledge of another's abuse can profoundly affect others as well. This movie does a decent job of dealing with this.

I think this is a good movie for couples to watch; many people would benefit from observing the characters in this film communicating with each other.

For those who are turned off by a lot of sex in a film, this movie does have it, but this film is NOT like soft porn. The sex is generally not erotic, and it seems to be more about the characters involved than about the act itself. Even the sex in this movie is about communication, and I think that's a valuable thing, because so many people seem to clam up when it comes to sex, rather than talking about it with their partner.

As for Lee's character's borderline personality: For those who don't really know what that is and who find that the movie's description was too vague or ambiguous, if you type "borderline personality disorder" into the search box in most any search engine, you will find that there are lots of sites devoted to BPD, which may give you a greater insight into Lee's character. Or head down to your local library (or perhaps university library) and pick up a copy of the DSM-IV or a psychology textbook. Just avoid self-diagnosis or diagnosing your friends with the information. BPD is quite a fascinating this; I'm surprised more movies don't make use of it, instead of constantly using Multiple Personality Disorder (now called "Dissociative Identity Disorder") and/or repressed memories to explain everything unusual a person does, especially considering both MPD and repressed memories are highly controversial topics in psychology at the moment.

Hard to watch...

[harquill · 7/10 · 20 June 2011]

But especially hard to watch because I am married to a BPD woman. My wife turned the movie on and then went to bed, leaving me to just take it all in. This movie is quite accurate in its portrayal of a BPD person in a relationship (especially when she was caulking the entire house, priceless). They do compulsive things and expect people to go along for the ride. Even more of a power struggle than one's average marriage.

The only unrealistic part about the movie (besides Balthazar having sex with patients and being open about it) is that Lee's character is actually interested in getting better and shows such improvement in what seems to be short time. Often, facing such a difficult road proves too much for an already fragile psychology.

Yes, discovering a history of sexual abuse in one's past would lead to some level of healing but there is a genetic component to BPD. Just like any disorder involving the brain, the affected person has to relearn how to interact with people they care about because they process stimuli differently.

In reality, if a therapist discovered that a person is Borderline or NPD, they would likely advise the spouse to leave the marriage when there are no children involved. Recovery is not the norm, and yes, spouses of these people often have their own problems...

In any event, this movie hit close to home and I felt like sharing. For people dealing with a BPD spouse "Bliss" it is both hard to and fulfilling to watch.

Laura Palmer works things out.

[PCC0921 · 6/10 · 9 September 2020]

Sheryl Lee, plays Maria, a married woman, struggling with her inability to have an orgasm and it is that fact that is killing her marriage. Terence Stamp, who is the seasoned veteran actor in this erotic, romantic, drama plays her sex therapist. He also gets entwined with her husband (Craig Sheffer), after he catches Maria going into the therapist's building. The three of them, either directly or indirectly, try to save this marriage. The whole idea is ridiculous when you watch the film, because you can't believe the legalities of Stamp's job. It does rock the believable factor. However, Lee puts in a great performance, Stamp is fantastic and occasional cameos by Casey Siemaszko and Spalding Gray, keep this film afloat and you do feel the emotional roller coaster that Maria has to go through.

6.1 (D+ MyGrade) = 6 IMDB

beautiful

[plantwater · 6 June 2004]

I truly enjoyed this movie. I rented it to watch alone, my wife out of town for the weekend, and I am definitely going to get her to watch it with me when she comes home. There were a few scenes that strained my ability to believe, such as when the main character would attempt to advise strangers, but they ended up really just providing humorous relief. I can't really imagine the modern practice of Balthazar's profession as presented in this movie, but everything else was intuitively spot-on. The movie is erotic, but even more importantly, it is a richly layered love story, one that I personally, really became invested in emotionally. There aren't too many movies that focus on the relationship within marriage, and give powerful hope for the unimaginable possibilities within it. Bliss definitely does this. It's very real, and I thought the acting was excellent. Perhaps I'm easily moved, but I found myself sitting close to the screen, fully emotionally locked into the script. My grade? A-

An attempt at sexual honesty

[DennisLittrell · 7/10 · 21 March 2000]

(Note: Over 500 of my movie reviews are now available in my book "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote!" Get it at Amazon.)

What we have here is a tantra shrink, a psychoanalytic shrink and a women's support group counseling shrink, and together they cure (that's the implication anyway) a woman made frigid, compulsive, obsessive and I forget what else by her father's sexual abuse. This bit of glorification of therapy suffers from the sort of defect usually found in an action/adventure/thriller movie, namely that of illogic. It seems that what really caused all this harm was the penis, the father's mean staff. This is the lie. (A trendy lie, by the way.) However what is really being presented here unbeknown to the authors in an unconscious acting out is the glorification of the penis. This is consistent with shrink psychology since those guys still haven't freed themselves from the Freudian obsession with it, and it is consistent with the American patriarchy since the one thing so sacred in our society that it cannot be shown publicly (except in double X-rated flicks) is the erect penis. And it's the patriarchy that has exclusive possession of that. (Sorry girls!) Any dyke can tell you that this kind of psychology is a phony tantalization leading to the perpetuation of penis envy.

The problem with any attempt at sexual honesty in a public sense is it's really impossible because we are within the sexual system ourselves and subject to its taboos, no matter how we might try to break away. This restraint on true expression is most felt by the most highly socialized members of society. Highly educated and over socialized shrinks typically tend to be blinded more than others (hence society's penchant to make fun of them). And even if they could see the truth, they couldn't express it since they would be out of business. It is only the crazies and the great artists who can break free of the taboo system and see what's real and express it. What we have here is unfortunately not the work of a crazy or a great artist, but of highly sensitive, highly socialized members of the human society trying to make a living. Trapped and struggling to break free, but of course giving in to the propaganda and the straitjacket of the species mechanism. If you are a member of the society, you cannot tell the full truth about the society. You have to break free first. You have to move outside that society. And if you do, you probably won't care enough to express yourself.

We can see that the authors of this movie tried to break free and thought they really were on the right track, ah but, they smelled commercial success and in the end conformed to society's prejudices, society's taboos and fed us back the usual sexual BS. If somehow a sexual counselor were to really understand human sexuality and (more important) be able to transmit that understanding to others, he or she would immediately be condemned since the system itself, by its very nature, demands duplicity and hypocrisy. That is the most important single thing we can learn about human sexuality: the veil of illusion. Sexuality must be private and not public and as such any public pronouncement must be a lie. It's a hard truth to realize, but something known in the heart of every prude and Republican congressman (although not in their minds). When those with starry-eyed visions of telling it like it really is come close to the holy grail of sexual truth they falter. One might call it the magnetic repulsive nature of sexual knowledge.

Having said all this I applaud the attempt. Incidentally the sex scenes are very sexy and the three stars, Craig Sheffer, Sheryl Lee and especially Terence Stamp do an excellent job. Director Lance Young unfortunately sells out, but he had no choice. As Jesus said, he knew not what he did.

All Theme, No Plot

[Junker-2 · 3/10 · 14 March 2005]

The trouble with "Bliss" (I generously rate it a 3 out of 10) can be summed up very quickly. It is all theme and no plot. So intent was writer/director Lance Young in telling us his views on sexual abuse and healing that he forgot that a movie must first have a story to tell.

"Bliss" seems much more like a Psychology student's graduate school thesis than it does a legitimate movie. The major plot points become mere afterthoughts: How does Joseph discover that Maria is visiting a sexual therapist? He accidentally sees her walking into the office. How does Marie discover that Joseph is seeing the same therapist? She accidentally sees him walking into the office. That's how much imagination was put into developing the story.

Director Lance Young has cast the movie well, but his actors have little to play with and all end up looking rather foolish. As the lead actress, Sheryl Lee is a perfect example. She simply plays a toned down version of Laura Palmer from "Twin Peaks" fame. In fact, this movie could almost have been titled "Laura Palmer Didn't Die But Instead Got Married And Became A Rather Boring Housewife." Although that title would not have sold a lot of tickets.

Of course, don't take my word for all this. If you really want to see how good or bad this movie is, simply check out writer/director Lance Young's credits here on the IMDb. Made back in 1997, "Bliss" is still the only credit in either his writing or directing career.

There is a reason for that.

not bad...for a sex show

[Goon-2 · 7/10 · 28 October 1999]

I didn't watch the dumb sex scenes, but in the about forty minutes I saw of "Bliss," there were seriously about five of them, which is...gross. When I wasn't turning the channel from them, I was actually getting somewhat captivated by this film, about a husband and wife and their marital troubles. Reviews made this sound like it would all be about their sex life, but from what I saw, the plot mostly regarded Sheryl Lee and her troubled relationship with her father, which isn't the most creative for a plot(the sex scenes were thrown in for the purpose, I suppose, or else they were simply to make "Bliss" all "cool" and "daring"), but I lived. I don't care for much of the cast, except for Casey Siemaszko(who I saw for about a minute, getting lectured for being "sexist" from Craig Scheffer)and Spalding Gray, but they did pretty well. It's nice to know that a movie that is primarily about stupid sex could have a semi-descent script. It just makes me wonder why they needed the sex in the first place...

Distinctly misleading title

[I_Ailurophile · 3/10 · 22 August 2021]

Star Craig Sheffer is about as helplessly wooden and lacking in personality as an actor could be. Therapist Alfred (Spalding Gray) seems to breach patient confidentiality. Film-maker Lance Young has a keen eye for some fine shots, but that alone is no reason to watch a film. More to the point, Young has no sense of how to write a compelling screenplay with a meaningful story, well-rounded characters, or earnest dialogue. He struggles to orchestrate an engaging scene. Terence Stamp tries to inject some personality into the character of Balthazar, but the part is written so flat and bland that he has almost nothing to work with. Young apparently has had no real credits to his name past the year 2000, and having watched 'Bliss,' I can't say that I'm surprised - but I am thankful.

At least the location scouts knew what they were doing.

Frank discussion of sex in the dialogue should be titillating, yet it's so clinical as to almost be derisively funny. Some of Balthazar's seemingly unorthodox methods should also elicit a laugh, or at least mild amusement. I say "almost" and "should" because Young's writing once again renders these would-be stimulating aspects lifeless, and boring. Even the promised nudity and sex scenes are sparing; at best they feel more romantic than scintillating, and at worst pointedly staged, artificial - dull.

I really don't know why I decided to watch this.

Sheryl Lee is the only cast member given a role with any real depth, allowing her to inhabit the part and demonstrate her skills. It's too bad Maria is also written with very little agency. Only within the last half hour does 'Bliss' get interesting - and that's only because of a hugely dramatic turn that upends everything Young had put into his movie previously. The feature becomes something entirely different, and while the characterizations (or Sheffer's acting) are no stronger, the thrust of the narrative is given a strength it wholly lacked before. Unfortunately, by that point, it's simply too little too late.

There are a few good ideas scattered throughout. They mostly go to waste.

I think I'm a very patient, open-minded viewer; I'll watch almost anything, no matter how underhanded or over the top, any anticipated level of quality, any genre. And still I feel like watching this was, more so than not, just a waste of my time. I can't particularly imagine who I would ever recommend this to, or why.

'Bliss' isn't.

Mature treatment of an adult theme!

[Jakeroo · 9/10 · 12 October 1998]

Excellent movie; treats marital problems in an adult non-salacious way that is both informative and enlightening. The nudity reveals the beauty of the human body without being pornographic. Terence Stamp makes it all work. Both Sheffer and Lee do excellent jobs as well.

slow .. but good one.

[afterdarkpak · 7/10 · 25 March 2020]

It was listed as a "cheating wife" movies in some sites. but i guess this movie is not comes in that category , atleast in START of the movie it feels like . a very good performance by all 2 lead actors , too much loud music but good music though. over all the good movie of late 90s.

hate to say it

[amy3-1 · 8/10 · 18 October 2005]

I agree with the poor plot device comments previously mentioned. But I think this movie is very important.

Now, I am quite OK with men, I am not a feminist, nor do I have any distaste for strong-willed or -minded men. But I think the movie is actually about the husband and about a common problem with men. Bliss presents the idea that very few western men allow the notion of a balanced male, taught in Eastern philosophies and faiths, anywhere near their minds. Stamps's character is presented as the balanced man, although almost ridiculously so.

Anyway, I think Bliss shows how a man can use his strength to be a more gentle, confident leader, who is even more sexually alluring and commanding, than a common American man. In the West, men have been programmed to away from their feminine side(read: communicator, appreciative of beauty, nurturer). I think this movie wants to say that men who understand it and embrace it can do amazing things and have a great effect on the people in their world, and on themselves. This is emphasized by the abusive father. He shows the worst extreme: if left to twist up on himself, a man can become a terrible thing.

And the extremity of Stamp's character is used to show how each man (ie, Craig) can pick and choose his own style. He doesn't have to be 'everything' like Stamp is, he can find his own way.

I know the landslide at the end seems strange and out of place, but, it shows how Craig's character's changes helped in his own life: it gave him the patience and confidence with which to wait for his wife, and the gentleness to forgive her and try again. I think we are supposed to guess that if he had not changed, and they had split up, that a reconciliation could not have happened.

I think in some ways the movie is great. Well, the story and theme are.

A beautiful film

[mssushi99 · 23 December 2002]

This movie was a surprise from the beginning. I thought it was going to end up like a teenage sex film but was more than pleased with the film as a whole. It dealt with sexuality in a way that I have not seen in American movies. It was beautifully done, wonderfully acted by all the players and the images and content stayed with me for weeks afterwards. It is not for the prudish but if you are in the mood for a powerful film about human sexuality, marriage, and how the dance between the partners can and should be, this is a movie for you. Watch it with someone that you care deeply about.

Finally, an intelligent movie about sex

[BillLamond · 8/10 · 16 August 2006]

If you tired of "hard-edged" action, booty call, and fake-it-till-you-make-it sex scenes, give yourself a real treat and see "Bliss." This is a movie that entertains and educates by taking on a subject about which most people are absolutely ignorant, i.e. real Eros. With a beautiful soundtrack, intelligent dialog and fine acting, "Bliss" challenges our notions of sexuality and requires audiences to think outside the box. Women will recognize this film as...ah, finally! A bonus - the information about Eros portrayed in the film is absolutely accurate. This film is fine entertainment and a crash course in what sex is really all about - getting more turned on and staying that way. This should be required viewing for adolescent male Americam film-makers of all ages.

sublime

[lauraciocoiu · 10/10 · 7 January 2007]

I see this movie on TV...For three times. I was touched. It is a masterpiece...

I am a psychotherapist and first of all, I am a soul of a woman. I would recommended " Bliss " to my patients. I am sure that only special people can really feel this movie.

I felt every touch between Joseph and Maria. First time when I see it, I was fall in love with Craig Sheffer. His performance was exceptionally also the Sheryl Lee performance, too. It is rich in sensuality and emotions.

I cannot find the right words...This movie are worth watching. Moreover, feel it! I will try to find more movies like this one. However, I think it does not exist.

Engrossing

[Arkaan · 4 September 1999]

This movie is a difficult one to watch, but well worth it. The sex scenes have been handled with tact. This is an honest look at the marriage between a relatively stable man, and a definitely unbalanced woman. Though it's Terrence Stamp's performance that is the best, Sheffer and Lee give moving and audacious performances in this unique love story.

The music is amazing. It works so well in the film, and it hightens the mood of the movie very well.

Not everyone will like it. A film about adult sexuality, where sex isn't portrayed in a cartoonish "teenage" way, is a daring idea. But it works beautifully.

Waiting...

[damalfieri · 10/10 · 21 July 2009]

I think this is an unusual "inner growing" movie. It runs away from "easy, commercial topics" about sex, comedy and violence. Too bad for the money: good intentions (even if you consider them accomplished or not) must be rewarded, no matter if they make money or not. A lot of easy trash consumers will find it boring, or ridiculous. Few very experienced sexologists and psychologist will find it "naive". But sensitive people will find it at least inspiring, full of good willing. I applaud the director, because he dared to make a definitely non-commercial movie about sex. A serious movie, very honest. In my opinion, a must. I would like the director (or anyone else) to make more movies like this one, and the producers to give money to make them. OK, Balthazar is too much like the "perfect guru", incredibly steady and "I always say the right thing in the right moment". But the director balances this at the end, or at least tries to do it. OK, the husband falls too quickly for a standard occidental man into a reasonable mood, but... too often, in "normal" films, the characters act the natural, instinctive way, instead that in a mature way. The film is about people acting in a civilized, adult way. And, if that have the risk to be unbelievable, on the other side I like it. Men are not animals, it is time for movies (and books) to consider interesting characters like this. Sorry for my poor English!

Genuine, heartfelt, with imagination

[Bruce_Stern · 8/10 · 3 June 2010]

An exploration of a couple's, especially the man's, devotion to love and to his marriage. Despite her obsessive-compulsive behavior Joseph (Craig Sheffer) loves Maria (Sheryl Lee). Initially, their sexual love appears to be an expression of their love, but all is not right, most profoundly within Maria. They attempt to work with a therapist (Spalding Gray). Maria visits an unorthodox practitioner (Terence Stamp). Joseph's discovery of this fully opens his eyes, and eventually his heart. I've seen this movie many times, and I learn or re-learn a new lesson with each viewing about the meaning of love and devotion, the importance of self-discovery, despite its discomforts, and power of the human spirit to overcome a potentially catastrophic personal history. I love the unorthodox ideas presented by Stamp's character, although they aren't fully explained. There are gaps in the telling which ought to have been filled in. Yet, this is a movie that I believe many people and many couples would benefit from. The story-telling, the narrative drive, moves forward quite well-enough for those with lessened attention spans, yet devotes the time to exploring a loving relationship with heart, understanding, compassion and imagination.

BLISS is a courageous movie about sexual healing and the courage and love necessary to make oneself whole.

[lassoproductions · 30 May 2002]

BLISS is a powerful, courageous film about sexual healing and the courage and love necessary to make oneself whole. It also has a lot to say about how we refer to men and women in modern American culture, and from that, how easy or unaware surface descriptions can be.

Bravo to the cast and crew! A perfect 10!

Every man and woman in America should see this film!

10 to the story

[siixsigma-07225 · 10/10 · 22 June 2021]

Overall acting rates 6/10 but the story and production was the best they could do. I watched this move 8 times up to now and recommended to all friends. A very informative movie with deep insight in marriage therapy, sex therapy and child abuse and it's effects/damages on lifes...

An under rated exploration of the nature of sexual love

[rboon33455 · 10/10 · 29 May 2008]

Bliss is a powerful and absorbing movie which explores the nature of adult sexuality and love. The plot revolves around the relationship of a newly married yuppie couple,Steve and Maria.We quickly discover that Maria is a compulsive neurotic bordering on the psychotic who is already in therapy and who soon reveals herself to be incapable of having an orgasm. Although an acutely sensitive person she is essentially very loving and copes by faking it. This leads her and eventually her husband to meet with Baltazzar, a sex therapist played with a beguiling calm charisma by Terence Stamp. They thus begin a difficult journey leading to some very important discoveries about themselves. On this journey the Director, Lance Young, engages strongly with such themes as the very nature of sex and love and our capacity to fully give.Steve is a reasonably sensitive man, but like most men has to deal with a strong sexual libido and a dominant male culture which encourages us to put its satisfaction first.His journey is therefore towards increasing awareness and selflessness which ultimately brings its own rewards as he begins to understand the nature of real love and to be able to give and receive it. The sex we see is never gratuitous and has an emotional reality which is rooted in the context of this developing relationship. It is light years away from porn and the simplistic banality of much Hollywood sexual depiction. I suspect many men will be challenged by it in the same way Steve was by the situation he found himself faced with, but it is a journey worth taking.Craig Sheffer and Sheryl Lee give performances as the young couple which ultimately draw us into the movie,but it is Stamp who holds the film together supported by an engaging and often beautiful sound track that heightens its mood. There is a nice twist at the end when Baltazzar embarks on his own new relationship and Steve wryly reflects on the difference between giving advice and putting it into practise with someone you love and whose personality you therefore accept as part of the deal.A film for adults with open hearts and minds. Highly recommended.

Bliss is a good movie about real people

[regkat · 14 June 1999]

Movies made about problems in sex in marriage usually draws expressions of horror, or we don't want to know about it. Bliss explores one area, and there are many, of one cause and it is not uncommon, and a remedy other than traditional medicine to fix that problem.

Critics have called Bliss educational to laughable and even soft porn. Foxtel Australia (released on cable May 1999) say the truth lies in- between. Foxtel saw fit to censor several scenes of the cable version, which in my opinion completely destroyed the Director's main plot and visual effects to tell the real story of something quite different in the use of another therapy, Tantric therapy. I obtained my own uncensored copy so my comments are based on visual scenes and dialogue on the therapy used, very limited but the basics are there.

The film was dedicated to Pauline; Maria's characterisation could have been Pauline. There are many Pauline's in this world that have had help or still need it.

The dialogue exchanged between Joseph (Craig Sheffer) and Tanner (Casey Siemaszka) on the wedding day when Joseph said, Maria (Sheryl Lee)"she has some problems". She sleeps with a fly swatter [little bugger], cleans the house twice a day, locked bathroom door, suicidal, neurotic, compulsive. Oh! how I know about bathroom doors and neurosis.

Maria's nonchalance of her wedding day to her Mother is obvious when she shrugs her shoulders and regurgitates. This is when the plot starts to unfold Maria's mannerisms and idiosyncrasies (getting her Father to check if there is a snap undone), the nervousness and stomach upset.

Through the gateway from this borderline psychotic state (we learned this later on) that Maria has, sometimes ends in Depression, and Baltazar Vincenza (Terence Stamp) stops Maria going there with the use of the ancient art of Tantric lovemaking, so it seems. It didn't take much to work out that if Maria had more therapy from the staid and clinical Alfred (Spalding Gray) she may have ended up on the wrong side of that borderline.

There are some lighthearted scenes and dialogue because this movie, Bliss, is about real people, real problems and real things. The scene on the building site is especially real where Carlos and Nick advise that Baltazar Vincenzahas have 4-6 women on the hour and every hour per day and teases all of them. The uniniated into tantalic doctrine would find this perhaps laughable.

The scene in the hospital where Maria is pouring out the reasons she is there is a gem. This explanation of Marias' problems comes late into the film, but that's the way it seems the Director wanted it, and it captures my imagination to find the reasons later.

The on screen chemistry and interactions of Sheryl Lee as Maria, and Mark Scheffer as Joseph capture the moments magically.

The special artistry of capturing what matters by Australian Cinematographer Mike Malloy (A Clockwork Orange) is again done with due care and in good taste in some of the explicit scenes, where it is important to explain visually the method of this chosen therapy.

Terence Smart invigorates the movie as Baltazar Vincenza, confidently played with clear diction, precise timing (cup of tea) (like to dance) (I promise) reminiscent of the transvestite Bernadette in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, realising a different role once again.

Alfred, well played by Spalding Gray as the run of the mill, we will get it fixed by conventional therapy eventually. Until Joseph asks about Baltazar Vincenza, and then the sparks fly and the film enters a new panorama of drama, explanation and entry into a New World of therapy.

This movie has a tight script, well directed, excellent acting, and a very different way of surrounding the plot with something different to fix a common problem in marriage. It is a scene that few wish to be in, Vincenza (to Joseph), why do you put so much into it when you get so little back? Indeed, I know what he means.

Lance Young worked with production executives of Warner Bros. And Paramount and no doubt saw some fabricated screen plots, so he took to writing his own screenplay about real things and people. He no doubt found this hard and personal, but the end result in Bliss was worth the effort.

The film, in my opinion is educational to someone who knows the problems of Maria and the adoration a husband like Joseph places on his partner and marriage. The more it is viewed, the better and educational it gets, rather than having to read and view many volumes of text and videos on the subject of Tantric lovemaking, a subject that has it's poo-hoo critics.

I will be waiting eagerly for Lance Young's sequel to this excellent movie, if any.

Bold and Blissfull

[Samiam3 · 8/10 · 25 November 2010]

Bliss is psychological, Bliss is sexually Educational, Bliss is poetry, Bliss is a dream

...At the same time, Bliss is also sort of pretentious in that it thinks it is making important or original statements. At the most basic level, Bliss is about a couple who have trouble in bed, but it is in the way this is sold that makes the movie feel refreshing, and unique. Bliss is about as bold as they come. It succeeds in being erotic without being gratuitous and the photography is exceptional. Cinematic sex never looked so up close or intimate, not just physically but in words. David Cronenberg's Crash is the only film of the top of my head which may be able to match Bliss for....well.....detail.

What I think could use a tune up about Bliss is Sheryl Lee. You get the sense that the material is a bit beyond her, perhaps a bit too distant. She has a bit of trouble breathing life into her role. This is essential seeing as she is the catalyst for the story. Her inability to have an orgasm puts enough pressure on her husband to seek out a rogue sexual therapist who agrees to train him in the art of making love (using nine stages of intimacy, if I quote him correctly).

Bliss is not for credibility-obsessed viewers, nor is it a film for the impatient or the immature. It is sexuality on a professional level. It might not perfect but It certainly stands out, and is certainly recommendable.

Men think ejaculation is an orgasm! Fools!

[DukeEman · 8/10 · 7 February 2003]

There is more to the marriage of Joseph and Maria, a young couple on the path to a sexual awakening with the help of Baltazar, (another off the wall performance by Terence). This section of the film is most intriguing with an intelligent approach and advice in understanding your body and sex. How much is fact goes beyond me so I took in every word and found myself attending a therapy session. What also helps you to enter this hypnotic state is the images accompanied by the overpowering music that draws you in no matter how much you try to stand on the outside as an observer. You may be excused for thinking that you are watching a sex awareness education film but what a great way to learn that sex is more than just sex!

Great movie.

[Warlock-5 · 12 July 1999]

I ended up hiring this movie because it stars the very beautiful Sheryl Lee, but I liked it when it was over.

Everyone in this film gives a great performance, particularly Stamp and Lee. Sheffer is adequade and Spalding Gray is boring as he always is.

I found it hard to feel unmoved by the scene in which Maria (Lee) explains to her husband why she has problems. It is very sad that someone has to go through all that pain and suffering.

I see this film as more that "a quest for an orgasm", as my friend put it, but a well acted drama that is also very entertaining and somewhat educational.

As for the sex scenes, they are very well handled and they are not dirty. There isn't much nudity (the video cover is very misleading) and people in it talk more about sex than they do it.

Great film, it should be more well known and recognized. Everyone, tell your friends to watch Bliss. It makes you think about how your partner really feels in bed....

Worth a Look

[devren · 8/10 · 19 May 2000]

"Bliss" was a pleasant surprise. Since "A River Runs Through It," I have not been impressed with Chaig Sheffer's work. But "Bliss" demonstrated that he still has the talent necessary for a leading man.

The story deals with the delicate subject of frigidity. While some would make light of the topic, "Bliss" takes a serious look at how a young couple handles the problem.

Terence Stamp, an underappreciated actor, delivers another high quality performance. While this movie may not be for everyone, I found it entertaining and thought provoking.