i would have to wonder how much hotter the book that bitter moon be base on be . i be not sure if i would ever read it and but it definitely wouldn not be bore . neither be the movie while if anything and polanski go to such dark depth here that it almost neglectful not to say that there something old fashion stir in the narrative . a british couple on their way via cruise to india run into a wheelchair bound would be writer and his wife and who be a knock out and and the husband hear from the now cripple man the story of his relationship . there something wholesome that be rip apart in the story here and and it at it core a tale of passionate love and desire that become like a mind game . polanski flashback narrative work well and and despite some corny bit early on in oscar ( peter cotoye ) tale of mimi ( emmanuele signer ) and this be contrast with scene that sizzle with great sexuality and the like of which only so much see in 90 cinema . then it transition into the naughty chapter and then go into the section that most captivate represent the can not live with em can not live without em logic of their relationship and and how it then relate to hugh grant nigel and his flawed marriage to fiona ( thomas ) . will he sleep with mimi . this question would be the shallow one while polanski achievement here be express a savage bond that be like a slow working poison and ready to affect anyone that grow close to their very human tragedy . sometimes see their past be disturb and other time even darkly funny . but it pure and unadulterated polanski through and through . and special note should be give to coyote represent here a character actor everybody see from time to time and be it et or sphere or femme fatale and and this time he put to a test that any actor would love . he go through every emotion and sometimes put on and sometimes very raw and wretched bit from his soul and and it an imperfect but powerful tour de force . everyone else and grant and seigner and thomas and be put in role that their fit well into ( grant especially a an up tight yuppie sexually awaken or confuse ) and but polanski still use them wisely from scene to scene . his wife and seigner and be also sometimes a revelation in a role that should and be a possible one note trap . there complexity that she find in her needy cum sociopathic mindset and and be sexy a all hell . it overall and underrated work of minor genius and and may please those look for a crazy tale of love and revenge .