Intimate Relations (1996)

In the twisted tale of "Intimate Relations", Harold Guppy (Rupert Graves), a young merchant marine, sails into an unassuming English coastal town on a quest to reconnect with an estranged brother. Upon facing rejection from his sister-in-law, he finds himself drawn into the eccentric Beasley household as a lodger, unaware of the whirlwind of turmoil that lies ahead. In the heart of this peculiar home, the passion of the seemingly matronly Marjorie Beasley (Dame Julie Walters) blooms for Harold, leading to a clandestine affair that shatters the bounds of decorum. As the tale unfurls, the Beasley's innocent thirteen-year-old daughter, Joyce (Laura Sadler), becomes a silent spectator to this scandalous liaison. Torn between her allegiance to her mother and her own burgeoning curiosity, Joyce plunges into a dangerous game of manipulation and blackmail, demanding a share in the unusual arrangement with Harold and her mother. Despite his initial shock, Harold soon finds himself ensnared in a labyrinth of deceit, constantly haunted by the peril of discovery. As he attempts to extricate himself from their grip, Marjorie's threats of implicating him in an abuse scandal tether him back to their twisted tryst. "Intimate Relations" is a compelling exploration of the profound impact of this unconventional relationship on both Harold and Joyce. It exposes the raw desperation of love, manipulation, and survival, pushing its characters towards the brink of extreme action under the domineering shadow of Mrs. Beasley. The film masterfully weaves a narrative that's as enticing as it is unsettling, inviting viewers to delve into a world where passion and deceit intertwine in the most unexpected ways.

Intimate Relations is a comedy movie featuring Julie Walters and directed by Philip Goodhew.

Intimate Relations is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.