Watch Cleopatra's Second Husband
- R
- 1998
- 1 hr 32 min
-
4.5 (614)
Cleopatra's Second Husband is a dark comedy film from 1998 that explores themes of love, betrayal, and power. The movie is directed by Jon Reiss and stars Paul Hipp, Bitty Schram, and Jonathan Penner. The story follows a young couple, Robert and Hallie, who move into a spacious loft in New York City. Robert is an artist and Hallie is a teacher, and they both desperately want to start a family. However, their new home comes with a strange catch - the previous owner, Simon, is still lingering there, and he seems to have left behind more than just his belongings.
As Robert and Hallie try to make themselves at home, they discover that Simon was not only a professional dominatrix, but he was also married to the infamous Cleopatra, a powerful woman in the art world. Soon, they become embroiled in a twisted web of love, lust, and power plays as they try to uncover the truth behind Simon and Cleopatra's relationship.
Paul Hipp delivers a standout performance as Simon, a manipulative and charismatic character who is always one step ahead of everyone else. Bitty Schram is equally captivating as Hallie, a woman torn between her love for her husband and her growing attraction to Simon. Jonathan Penner rounds out the main cast as Robert, a well-meaning but naive artist who finds himself caught up in a world he never could have imagined.
The film takes a darkly comedic approach to its subject matter, using intelligent writing and clever direction to keep the audience engaged throughout. The movie draws upon themes of power dynamics and explores how they play out in intimate relationships, making for a thought-provoking and engaging watch.
The cinematography is also worthy of note, as the movie makes excellent use of the spacious loft setting to create a sense of claustrophobia and tension. The camera work is always innovative and never boring, giving the movie a stylish edge that keeps it ahead of the pack.
Overall, Cleopatra's Second Husband is a unique and compelling film that defies easy categorization. Fans of dark comedies and smart thrillers will find plenty to enjoy here, while anyone looking for a film with a little bit of everything will also be satisfied. With its talented cast, intelligent writing, and eye-catching direction, there's no doubt that this movie has stood the test of time and remains a must-see for anyone looking for quality entertainment.
Cleopatra's Second Husband is a 1998 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5 and a MetaScore of 43.