Watch Death in Love

Death in Love is a 2008 movie that takes place in both the past and the present. It is a heart-wrenching exploration of the effects of trauma and the human capacity to both survive and inflict pain. The plot revolves around a Jewish family during World War II, and how their experiences have shaped their lives decades later. Jacqueline Bissett stars as the mother of two brothers, one of whom is played by Josh Lucas. The mother's story is told primarily through flashbacks to her time in Auschwitz. Through these flashbacks, we see how the Nazis forced her into a relationship with a prisoner who was already married.

This relationship is the crux of the mother's trauma, and it reverberates throughout the rest of her life. She is distant and cold with her sons, and uses her sex appeal to manipulate men who might help her get ahead. This is particularly evident in the present-day scenes, where she has remarried and is constantly flirting with her husband's business partners in an attempt to position her sons for success.

Meanwhile, her sons both have their own issues. Josh Lucas plays the younger brother, a womanizer who is struggling to write a book about their family's experiences during the war. He is also sleeping with his mother's best friend, played by Vanessa Kai. Lukas Haas plays the older brother, who is married with children but still dealing with the repressed memories of what happened to his mother.

As the movie progresses, both brothers begin to unravel. The younger brother is forced to face the fact that his relationship with his mother's friend is nothing more than a temporary escape from his own pain. The older brother is plagued by nightmares and stalked by an unknown figure.

The climax of the movie is satisfyingly intense, as the past and present collide in a tangle of secrets and lies. It is not an easy movie to watch, as it deals with heavy themes like sexual abuse, infidelity, and the Holocaust. However, it does so with a deftness and sensitivity that makes it clear the filmmakers were working from a place of deep empathy.

One of the best aspects of Death in Love is the way it slowly reveals the full scope of the mother's trauma. At first, we only see her being forced into a sexual relationship with a married man. But as the movie goes on, we see how that trauma colored every aspect of her life. We see her use her sexuality as a weapon, we see her push away her children even when they try to love her, we see her turn to alcohol and cigarettes to numb her pain. It's a heartbreaking portrait, but also a necessary one.

The acting in Death in Love is superb. Jacqueline Bissett is particularly impressive, as she has the difficult task of portraying a woman who is both victim and victimizer. Josh Lucas and Lukas Haas are also both excellent, bringing layers of complexity to their characters. The supporting cast, particularly Vanessa Kai and Adam Brody as the younger brother's editor, are also strong.

The cinematography is also worth noting. The flashbacks to Auschwitz are shot in a subdued color palette that makes the horror of the concentration camps all the more palpable. Conversely, the present-day scenes are often bright and shiny, giving the impression that there are things happening just beneath the surface.

Overall, Death in Love is a powerful movie that is not for the faint of heart. It is a poignant exploration of trauma, family, and the impact of the past on the present. While it can be difficult to watch, it is ultimately a rewarding experience for those willing to give themselves over to its emotional depth.

Death in Love is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7 and a MetaScore of 39.