"Love Lies Bleeding" is a neo-noir, and a dark and intense love story. The film follows Lou (Kristen Stewart), a reclusive gym manager with a troubled past and problems of her own. She becomes infatuated with Jackie (Katy O'Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder just passing through on her way to Las Vegas. Their passionate relationship quickly escalates and they soon become entangled in escalating violence and life threatening danger. Ed Harris as Lou Sr., owner of the gym, and one of the creepier characters I've seen in a while.
The setting is the typical small town where everyone knows everyone and there's secrets buried everywhere. Closets are filled to bursting with skeletons. Things are barely holding together. The arrival of the mysterious new girl in town, Jackie, serves as a catalyst for the lids blowing off everything in sight. Interestingly, we never learn much about Jackie, and even to Lou Jackie is a relative unknown all through the film. Their relationship is the supreme priority for Lou though, even when bodies start to pile up.
I have read criticism of the film stemming from the lack of background and thus connection for the characters. Perhaps it works for some viewers, and perhaps not, but it seems a deliberate choice. The normally anti -social Lou falls for Jackie hard almost immediately, in spite of obvious warning signs. She remains undeterred, even as Jackie is revealed to have her own issues.
Both Lou and Jackie are flawed and complex individuals, making their relationship both compelling and occasionally disturbing. The tale is a provocative exploration of love, obsession and consequences (and bleeding), with a few twists in the second half as things really spiral.
The movie is also quite well made, just in general. It creates a palpable sense of tension and unease through its dark visuals and gripping score. The cinematography and sound design are both excellent. There's Hitchcockian macguffins and other fun tricks film fans will recognize that I think play well into the world of this movie, without seeming gimmicky. The film also doesn't shy away from violence, reflecting the dangerous world its characters inhabit. Although it's a better film I think, it's hard not to be reminded of "Blood Simple".
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