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Intimate Relations is a 1996 British film that explores the nature of love, desire, and moral taboo. The movie tells the story of Harold Guppy (Rupert Graves), a young man who moves to a sleepy English coastal town to work as a secretary for a family of middle-class eccentrics, the Unwins. He soon becomes intimately involved with the Unwin's matriarch, Marjorie (Julie Walters), a bored and lonely housewife craving excitement and attention.

Harold is a young man who is at first reluctant to get involved with Marjorie, but as he becomes increasingly enmeshed in her world, he finds himself drawn to her. Marjorie is also drawn to Harold, seeing in him a sense of vitality that is lacking in her husband, Stanley (Matthew Walker). The two embark on a passionate affair, but their relationship is soon discovered by Stanley, leading to a series of revelations and consequences that threaten to destroy the fragile balance of their lives.

The movie explores themes of morality, class, and sexuality against the backdrop of 1950s England. Harold is a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world, and Marjorie is a woman who has been trapped in a loveless marriage for years. Both are looking for something to fill the void in their lives, and their relationship provides them with a sense of excitement and purpose that is both exhilarating and dangerous.

The film is beautifully shot, with a sense of old-world charm that perfectly captures the era in which it is set. The performances are stellar, particularly Julie Walters, who imbues Marjorie with a sense of vulnerability and longing that is both heartbreaking and captivating. Rupert Graves is also excellent, bringing a sense of youthful energy and restlessness to the role of Harold.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its exploration of the power dynamics in relationships, particularly those between men and women. Marjorie is a woman who is used to being in control, but in her relationship with Harold, she finds herself subverting traditional gender roles and becoming the more vulnerable of the two.

The film also touches on themes of guilt and shame, particularly in relation to the social mores of the time. In a society that placed a premium on propriety and appearance, Marjorie's relationship with Harold is seen as a scandalous transgression that threatens to expose the dark underbelly of middle-class respectability.

Overall, Intimate Relations is a complex and thought-provoking film that explores the nature of desire, morality, and the human condition. It is a powerful meditation on the forces that drive us to connect with others, even when those connections are fraught with danger and risk.