Full Body Massage

The title "Full Body Massage" hints that this is a pornographic film, but it isn't. Erotic, yes, but not pornographic. The title refers not only to a full body massage, but to what is really a "full mind massage". I only wish my massuse had the skill and equipment the masseur had in this film!!

Nina (Mimi Rogers) is a tough art dealer and gallery owner. She is expecting her regular weekly massage from Douglas and is surprised by substitute Fitch (Bryan Brown). She's annoyed but accepted the unexpected change. He's a new age thinker with varying experiences like from the Hopi Indians. She's a driven single woman. They talk about their past relationships and philosophies as flashbacks are shown.

This is a long meandering conversation. It doesn't really move anywhere. There isn't a narrative or a plot. It's simply two characters talking about their lives. For some people, the biggest point is a naked Mimi Rogers. Otherwise, it's hard to see any point to this. The production is more late-night erotica than an artistic journey. I would have liked stories that are less philosophical and more compelling.

What thoughts would go through two strangers minds after initially bypassing the social preliminaries and going to intimate contact and then getting to know each other better? The intimation is that maybe they would like to take the relation further, but professional ethics require them to escape to the past, so as to almost avoid the present. The sexual tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife.

Roeg does his usually excellent job of mixing the erotic with the everyday and making it seem completely natural.

I can't really remember much of what this film was supposed to be about, some sort of philosophical ramblings delivered whilst a bloke massages a woman. Who cares? The fact is, you get to see a lot of the glorious Mimi Rogers and her awesome breasts and magnificent buttocks. If that makes me sound like a sad pervert, so be it. To be honest the rest of the film sent me to sleep. How is it that I have to drag myself to work very day and Bryan Brown gets to oil Mimi Rogers up for a living? Okay, so he has some acting talent - not a lot mind you - and I have none, but it's still not fair. In my opinion his finest hour was not his version of Hamlet at the Old Vic but keeping his pants under control during this shoot.... I certainly take my hat off to him for that.

A gallery owner is surprised when her home masseur sends a replacement, from whom she receives intellectual and spiritual, rather than sensual, treatment. Essentially a long conversation about art, life and relationships, broken up with the director's customarily intriguing montage, and in which the star bravely exposes herself physically as well as emotionally. Compelling viewing.