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I Am Yours To Take
Released by: Alpha France/TLA Video
Released on: June, 2014.
Director: Francis Leroi
Cast: Brigitte Lahaie, Patrick Bruno, Karine Gambier
Year: 1978
Purchase From TLA Video
The Movie:
In writer/director Francis Leroi's 1978 film I Am Yours To Take (Je suis í prendre en Francais), Brigitte Lahaie plays Helene, the beautiful new bride of a wealthy man named Bertrand (Patrick Bruno). At first glance it seems like Helene has it all - she certainly isn't wanting for money or possessions but soon finds that despite her yearnings, her husband seems to have no interest in the physical side of their relationship. He does, however, spend an unusual amount of time playing around at a brothel and indulging in all manner of activity with the ladies employed there.
Bertand has his reasons, however, and it turns out that the reason he's ignoring her is that he wants to make sure she's properly experienced before sealing the deal. As such, he starts having her regular glass of milk laced with a powerful aphrodisiac and allowing her to flourish under the circumstances it induces. When Helene comes under the drinks power and a sexy, willing maid (Karine Gambier) conveniently arrives in her room, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's going to happen. Helene's encounters don't stop there, however, as soon enough she's having a go at the stable with Hector (Jean-Pierre Armand), the man who cares for her horse. From there she has an incident with the aging gardener, Ralf (Robert Le Ray), who is only too happy to receive her attention, but whether she'll ever really connect with Bertrand or not remains to be seen…
This is a pretty smart and interesting film by any standard, with some better than average performances from all involved and some great physical work (and not just in the carnal sense) from its leading lady. Lahaie looks almost innocent here, unspoiled in the sense that those around her are so much more experienced than she, and she uses those big, expressive eyes of hers to communicate a believable sense of naivete and at times emotional torment. Of course, once that spiked milk kicks in, it's a completely different story and she does what she's known to do on film and with plenty of gusto at that but she handles the more dramatic side of this picture very well. Additionally, Patrick Bruno plays his part with just the right amount of distance and pompous attitude to make it work and with this established it makes the more subservient, almost desperate nature of Lahaie's uninhibited work in the sack all the more memorable.
And what work it is. Ageists might object to her scene with the gardener but it fits in with the established storyline and it makes sense that her character could be taken that way, while the scene with the stable hand is just plain steamy. The highlight is the scene Lahaie shares with Gambier, it's just ridiculously sensual and like pretty much every second of this movie, erotic or otherwise, it's beautifully shot. The photography does a fantastic job of showing off all of the decadence, sexual or otherwise, and there's excellent use of color throughout the film, a prime example being the scene that takes place out in the dell with Lahaie and Armand. The movie takes its time establishing character and plot but never feels slow, instead this well-paced picture offers a maturity and an intelligence too often lacking in adult movies. It is, in every regard, a very well made picture.
Video/Audio/Extras:
TLA Video, through a deal with Alpha France, presents I Am Yours To Take on MOD/DVD-R in 1.33.1 fullframe, which would appear to be the movie's original aspect ratio. The image is a little soft but stable enough. Colors look okay, skin tones look appropriately natural and black levels are decent. There are times where some minor compression artifacts pop up but otherwise this is a decent enough presentation even if it isn't going to blow you away.
The only audio option on the disc is an English language Dolby Digital Mono track. It would have been cool to see both the English and French tracks provided as the dubbing here is painfully obvious, but then, that adds to the movie's considerable charms in its own goofy way. Dialogue is occasionally a bit muffled but more often than not it's pretty clear and the score sounds alright.
There are no extras on this disc.
The Final Word:
Smart, slick and sexy I'm Yours To Take is a solid slice of vintage Euro-porn that'll arouse and intrigue in equal measure. It's worth seeing for Brigitte Lahaie alone but throw in Karine Gambier as well and this one becomes pretty much essential for fans of either actress.
