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TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2016--BELOW HER MOUTH Send This Review to a Friend
A hot story about women falling in love, the Canadian film “Below her Mouth” not only was directed by a woman and written by a woman, but was made with an entirely female crew. That in itself is a statement. The film makes its own strong statement about a steamy relationship.
Directed by April Mullen from a screenplay by Stephanie Fabrisi, “Below Her Mouth” focuses on Jasmine, played by Natalie Krill, who is successful as a fashion editor and lives with her fiancé, Rile, portrayed by Sebastian Pigott. One night she happens to meet Dallas, enacted by Erika Linder. A lesbian, Dallas, who works as a roofer, has just terminated a relationship.
Dallas makes a play for Jasmine, who is surprised and unwilling. But Dallas is not someone Jasmine can get out of her mind. There is definitely an attraction there, and when Jasmine gives in to temptation, the result is powerful. Both fall in love, and as the relationship develops explicitly, the pressure rises for Jasmine to confront the situation and make a decision.
This is easier said than done in light of her heterosexual commitment to Rile. But the film pulls no punches in showing the strong sexual and emotional attraction between the women, and the screenplay takes them through the pain of loving with the possibility that it cannot endure, and the counter-pressure to throw caution to the winds and follow their feelings.
Krill and Linder are excellent in their roles, each attractive in her own way, and are able to convey the deep feelings involved. They also shed inhibitions to communicate the physical attachment as the drama gives an impression of sincerity in exploring the volatile subject. Reviewed November 22, 2016.
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