Discreet (2008)

This is one of those films starts off and you soon think you have a good idea of where it is all going. And then you get caught up in the performances and dialogue, and it turns into more than you had hoped or expected. It only works because of the two great young actors and their direction. Each of them so much look like others in the profession that which you are familiar, but it is their own abilities that keep you involved here. The story-line is similar in style and substance to others, but it somehow seems fresh. It's the most unlikely call-girl and her John movie that you are likely to encounter in quite some time.

"Discreet" aired for free on Amazon Prime, and it was a well-paced film that had the feel of a stage play.The dialogue takes place nearly in "real time" in Sandton, South Africa, as a 25-year-old man has reserved a time slot with an escort in her swanky apartment. After answering the internet ad from "Discreet, Upmarket," he pays his "fee" of $8,000 in cash. The film then unfolds as a long conversation about life, life, childhood, religion, ideals, and lying.The lying is central as both characters at first do not reveal their real names. Young Thomas first claims to be Peter. And Monique morphs into Monica, then Christy, and, finally, Kareen.The structure of the conversation is the peeling away of the layers of lies with each character critiquing the other. Kareen offers a razor sharp analysis of how Thomas's religious background has messed him up. In turn, Thomas sees through Kareen's "act," recognizing that she desires true love and a committed relationship.Many stage plays are adapted into turgid film versions. But this film successfully develops a two-character conversation into compelling drama. Beyond the film, the two actors apparently enjoy a successful marriage in real life.This film is worth watching for the crisp dialogue and good performances.

I thought the actors did a really good job in their roles (interesting chemistry when the actors are actually married in the real world). The story was good and engaging, although she did put up with his "questions" longer than she should have. The ending could have been written many different ways, but I liked how this ended. Sure, if you preferred all the talk done in bed after a seductive strip tease and sweaty sex, then this film will seem dull. But it seemed fitting that no unnecessary body parts were exposed. On a five star rating, I would give this a 4.5. The extra 1/2 star is because it was an indie film that was really well done!

My coming across this 2008 SA'n movie was pure happenstance. I had recently watched 'Veraaiers', 'Skoonheid', 'Black Butterflies' and 'Die Wonderwerker' - all really fabulous movies. So I was very excited to come across another recent 'art' movie from SA. Wow, what a dull posturing piece of pretension. I guess the two leads (throughout), the Alexanders are a married couple (surely not brother & sister?) and they produced this piece. They spent a lot of time and effort getting this movie together... what a shame.A seemingly shy and dull 25-year old man, who is surprisingly successful at work considering his disinterest with the meeting he is attending, hires a up-market prostitute for 90 minutes. He uses all his time not having sex (she is very appealing, and claims to be a dancer) but endlessly talking. He is very unsexy. So their varied histories are slowly, very slowly, revealed. So from a shallow hiring of a body (he purports to be a virgin, but isn't really, just inexperienced) to the revealing of both of their inner lives - her real name, his circumstances, a kiss on the mouth, changing postures, repeated leavings/returns to the one apartment that occupies 90% of the movie. This is not 'My Dinner with Andre' or a Richard Linklater masterpiece.And she does not phone him at the end, as per another reviewer, but her mother. His phone rings in the final scene, having FINALLY left, and it is not her but his girlfriend. The movie ends without us knowing if he accepts the call. Cut to black! Gosh - the uncertainty is driving me crazy. Not.