The Comfort of Strangers (1990) review

Colin (Rupert Everett) and his (divorced) girlfriend Mary (Natasha Richardson) are trying to spend a nice multi-week holiday in Venice, Italy - relaxing at cafés, watching glass-making in Murano, swimming at the Lido, etc. - when they have a chance encounter with dapper Robert (Christopher Walken), who takes them to a late night eatery and then invites them back to his opulent home, where they meet Robert's disabled (and sexually submissive) wife Caroline (Helen Mirren).  Not much 'really' transpires in Harold Pinter's adaptation of Ian McEwan's second novel, since it's mostly a "mood piece" with sturdy performances by all four main actors and the Floating City (lovingly photographed by Dante Spinotti) acting as a separate character in itself, full of strangeness and mystery (and admittedly easy to get lost in).  Many viewers might be put off by the belabored nature of the film, but I personally think it's interesting how simply meeting Robert and Caroline "rekindles" the staleness of Colin and Mary's relationship ... and the (intentionally?) perplexing finale could encourage post-screening discussions beyond a simple "why?"