Love and Lust – Enjoy and Lose!

Mention Sylvia Kristel and one immediately associate her with Emmanuelle, the sex addict in the controversial soft-core Emmanuelle trilogy of the mid-1970s. The sexy image created in this trilogy was so over-powering and enduring that Sylvia Kristel, was forever type-casted to act in similar roles throughout her film career. She played Lady Chatterley’s Lover, the biopic, Matahari and the sex comedy, Private Lessons.

In 1974, Sylvia first exploded onto the silver screen as Emmanuelle, the sex naiveté turned sex personified. It was grossly successful and had critical cinematic appeal. It gave birth to a sequel a year later called Emmanuelle-the Anti Virgin. The trilogy ended in 1977 with Goodbye Emmanuelle.

In the first Emmanuelle, we find Emmanuelle, living in Bangkok together with her husband Jean, several years older than her. She likes him because he was her sex guru and awakened in her bizarre sexual cravings and was tolerant of extra-marital affairs in the pursuit of sexual happiness. The lusty offering in a darkened plane in flight was a super turn-on and most memorable. It will appeal to many who are interested in the perverted side of sex. The tender way that the story was presented as well as the French style gives it a very erotic feel throughout.

Emmanuelle 2 released a year later really takes the cherry! It was the erotic masterpiece of all time! It was so naughty that it inadvertently spawned a barrage of sleazy sequels. A drama with sex, Emmanuelle 2 went oriental once more, coupling the ancient art of acupuncture with sex, showcasing erotic body massage, an orgy with sailors on shore leave; a tryst in a changing room with a tattooed polo player and a truly ‘see-feel’ voyeuristic encounter in a ballet school.

Artfully rendered, beautifully photographed, the sex scenes really pushed the limits on just how far a film could go in screen erotica. The music by Francis Lai was spot-on. Beautiful and haunting! A very good classy sequel.

In Goodbye, Emmanuelle, Emmanuelle and her architect husband continued their amoral lifestyle in the Seychelles. But when a casual dalliance between her and a film director started to turn serious her husband shows the very traditional signs of jealousy.

When all is said and done, once all the lust in your loins is gone, where do you go? It is the classic love versus lust discourse! Love will be destroyed by lust as one goes on a never-ending addictive sex adventure. It is sexual gratification, pure and simple. And then there is Emmanuelle!

Quote of the Day:

“You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug.” Unknown

Heartsong