Video streaming has almost become a staple of modern first world culture. Almost most conversations won’t go without at least touching on the topic of “Hey, have you seen X on Netflix?”. Some of the shows and films we watch on there are revolutionary and unique… others are just plain weird.
There is an expression to distinguish between erotica and pornography: erotica is using a feather while pornography is using the whole damn chicken. I found myself questioning whether the makers of Canadian drama, ‘Below Her Mouth’ knew the difference.
Based in Toronto, the plotline – when it decides to rear its ugly head – follows the affair of roofer Dallas and fashion editor, Jasmine, after they meet in a nightclub. The romance soon becomes rather passionate, and Jasmine struggles with her feelings of being with a woman while hiding the relationship from her fiancé. Filmed over the course of three and a half weeks, I at first thought this was a testament to the abilities of the production crew – which is notably all female. However, after watching the film, I felt it belonged more on PornHub than Netflix.
When the film diverts from the graphic sex scenes – which take up the majority of the film – the cinematography is quite beautiful. Other than the questionable anatomically vivid shots that make up the filler of the film, we get some beautiful shots of Toronto’s hipster quarter, and I praise this film for its lesbian representation, a subject matter films very rarely touch upon. The cast itself does a decent job, with a noteworthy debut performance from Swedish model Erika Linder and a surprising cameo from Canadian actress Elise Bauman, from the popular web series Carmilla.
That being said, however, the bare plot being replaced with the raunchy scenes shared with the two protagonists is rather disappointing. Looking more like a well-shot porno than a drama, it’s a poor copy of ‘Blue is the Warmest Colour’, a film with a similar premise which has equal parts plot and raunchiness. It’s a terrible shame, as this film could’ve been something more, but sadly falls short.