Directed by Michael Winterbottom and written by Eoin McNamee, I Want You tells the story of a young, mute boy obsessed with a young hairdresser whose ex-convict boyfriend returns. The ex-convict is obsessed in reestablishing his relationship with his girlfriend while the boy who is observing it is recording their every move. Starring Rachel Weisz, Alessandro Nivola, Luka Petrusic, and Labina Mitevska. I Want You is a sexy, harrowing drama from Michael Winterbottom and company.

Returning to his home in the north of England, Martin (Alessandro Nivola) has just served an eight-year sentence for the murder of a man and dumping his body into the sea. With frequent meetings about a job and his well-being by his parole officer Sonja (Geraldine O'Rawe), Martin hopes to reconnect with his former girlfriend Helen (Rachel Weisz). Helen meanwhile, is living comfortably and quietly as a hairdresser in a salon while her boyfriend Bob (Ben Daniels) is a radio DJ. Helen has also captured the affections of a young 14-year old Slavic mute boy named Honda (Luka Petrusic) who lives with his sister Smokey (Labina Mitevska), who is a singer at a local club.

Martin calls Helen and then hang up as his obsession leads to liaisons with a local stripper (Dee Dee Menta) who would dance for him to the Elvis Costello & the Attractions song I Want You. Honda meanwhile, secretly gives Helen flowers as she becomes his unlikely friend as her own relationship with Bob is now on the rocks. One of Honda's favorite hobbies is to record conversations and such as a prank he and Smokey pulled on Bob not only makes him mad but he finds himself being confronted by Martin. During a night out at a club, Helen is hanging out with her friend Sam (Steve John Shepard) that suddenly goes wrong when she receives a surprise visit from Martin.

Haunted by Martin's reappearance, Helen finds comfort in Honda as she believes that she is being stalked by her former boyfriend whom she hadn't seen in eight years. Martin's obsession increases as he befriends Smokey, who suffers from her own loneliness as she has her own affairs with different men. She also reveals about Honda's mute behavior was due to the death of his mother. Martin finally arrives at Helen's home where they briefly rekindle their affair but only Martin is relieved with Helen now haunted. Wanting to learn of Martin's crime, Honda finds out what happened and who Martin had killed.

When Helen learns what Honda was trying to figure out, she tells him what had happened. Learning about Martin's contact with Helen, Sonja reveals to Martin a complaint filed by Helen as he is now a step away from going back to prison. Angered by what happened, Martin confronts Helen as Honda is forced to watch secrets be unveiled that would shape his own fragile behavior.

The film in many ways is about obsession with the character of Helen being the object of desire. While the script definitely builds a momentum of suspense to the third act, the twist that is unveiled doesn't live up to its climax. Yet, it goes back to the theme of guilt that is talked about during the film. Even through the perspective of Smokey and Honda. The character of Honda as the film's main observer shows how he interprets things through his mind and recordings.

It's where Michael Winterbottom chooses to focus where he is telling this story of an obsession relationship between a man and a woman from the perspective of a third-party outsider. Winterbottom's direction is unique for its imagery and moods to show where the characters are emotionally. Particularly Honda who sees things in a blurry, grainy look where his own interpretation of these situations is more interesting than the protagonists. While the film has a creepy tone that might turn off some audiences, it's Winterbottom's direction and compositions through the locations that makes the film worth watching.

Cinematographer Slawomir Idziak creates an array of colorful palettes ranging from bright yellow to convey the outside scenery of north England to blueish colors in the sequences involving water and such. Even the color green at one point for a scene in an aquarium as well as blurry, grainy images for the mind of Honda. Idziak, who is known for his amazing work with the Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski and most recently, Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix; is the film's technical highlight. Editor Trevor Waite also channels the film's emotional tone to bring a unique rhythm to the film's fantasy sequences from the mind of Honda to more suspenseful pacing throughout the entire film.

Art directors David Bowes and David Bryan along with production designer Mark Tildesley create unique looks to the film's location with the dilapidated home of Martin and Smokey to the more hotel-like home of Helen. Costume designer Rachel Fleming create a wonderful look with the clothes for both Rachel Weisz and Labina Mitevska for whatever social situation they're in. Sound editor Ian Wilson brings another technical highlight for the film's sound to represent the perspective of Honda, including a sequence of Honda listening to Martin and Helen making love through the song I Want You that is muffled a bit but has an emotional resonance.

The film's music features mostly a trip-hop like sound that is reminiscent of acts like Portishead and Massive Attack. With original music by Adrian Johnston and the band Rare, the music does have a hypnotic, moody feel to convey the drama. The soundtrack also features cuts by the Troggs, the late Kirsty MacColl, Julian Cope, Violet, One Dove, Travis, and Chakra. Then there's the film's title cut by Elvis Costello & the Attractions from their 1986 album Blood & Chocolate. The song's emotional, obsessive tone fits right in with the mood of the film as well as Martin's behavior.

The film's cast features a wonderful cast that includes Phyllida Law as a woman at hairdresser, Des McAleer as a flower salesman, Graham Crowden as Smokey and Honda's grandfather, Carmen Ejogo as Helen's salon friend Amber, and other small performances from Steve John Shepard and Dee Dee Menta. Ben Daniels is fine as Helen's DJ boyfriend Bob, who had hoped to sleep with her for so long until a prank broke them up. Geraldine O'Rawe is excellent as Martin's parole officer who tries to understand his behavior while continuing to warn him about contacting Helen.

Labina Mitevska is wonderful as the maternal Smokey who is trying to deal with her own loneliness as well as her little brother Honda. Mitevska also performs several of the original songs in the film as she have a voice that is similar to the trip-hop acts of the 90s. Luka Petrusic really gives the film's best performance as the mute boy Honda. Not saying a word throughout the entire film, Petrusic really shines with his expressions and observation as his character is the one that is the most interesting throughout the entire film.

American actor Alessandro Nivola is excellent as the creepy, obsessive Martin who is trying to deal with his own crimes along with the lost relationship with Helen. Rachel Weisz is in brilliant form as the beautiful Helen, who is trying to deal with the return of Martin as well as her own failed relationships with men only seeking comfort in Honda. Weisz exudes sexiness as well as the kind of depth her character needed to deal with the failure that is her relationship with Martin.

While it's not up to par with later films, I Want You is still an interesting, provocative film from Michael Winterbottom. Fans of Rachel Weisz will no doubt, see her in an early film role just before she would breakthrough a year later in The Mummy. While it's considered a minor effort of sorts for Michael Winterbottom. I Want You still has something to offer for those who enjoy complex storylines and wonderful images. In the end, I Want You is a fine effort from the talented, prolific Michael Winterbottom.

Michael Winterbottom Reviews:

Wonderland (1999):

http://www.epinions.com/content_367797636740

24 Hour Party People (2002):

http://www.epinions.com/content_74688597636

In This World (2002):

http://www.epinions.com/content_145666576004

Code 46 (2003):

http://www.epinions.com/content_394013675140

9 Songs (2004):

http://www.epinions.com/content_290447658628

Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story (2005):

http://www.epinions.com/content_297383136900

The Road to Guantanamo (2005):

http://www.epinions.com/content_397638405764

A Mighty Heart (2007):

http://www.epinions.com/content_381302509188


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age