Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

I have learned my lesson to read about a film before going. I only noticed that it received a good review but had no idea about the story.
It is titillating and most unusual.
It is written and directed by Julia Leigh. I think she did a superb job.
We first meet Lucy at a clinical lab. She is being paid for participating in a medical experiment. She has to allow a tube to be passed down her throat. She tries not to gag and does a masterful job. I think the audience had more trouble than she does. Lucy is a small waif like girl. She is exquisitely beautiful almost angelic looking. Her skin is pale and she has a porcelain doll look. She speaks in a soft gentle voice.
Not only does she earn funds from the medical work, she also works in a bar, sorts papers in an office, goes to school and finds time for a few ‘tricks’ on the side.
She has a boyfriend who appears to be dying from alcoholism. She pours vodka into his cereal and she sips the drink straight. She nurtures him and is soft spoken and caring.
She gets a job at a most unusual setting. She is hired to attend at a dinner party of wealthy older men. They are all attired in tuxedos. A very good chef prepares exquisite meals for the gathering. They are served by women in brief, black cutaway costumes leaving many of their parts exposed. Lucy is in white lingerie ands serves the wine.
The ‘madam ‘of the house is a tall regal beautiful woman who manages all the proceedings. She is elegantly attired at all times and speaks in a cold straightforward manner. (I couldn’t help but wonder what such a dinner would cost.)
She gives Lucy a type of promotion. She is to drink a potion that makes her sleep for the night. We view Lucy lying in an elegant bedroom. Her pale body is a contrast to the luxurious setting. When in this state one of the wealthy men is permitted into the room with the ‘sleeping beauty’ and is allowed to do anything but penetrate. Each time a different man spends the night. One is somewhat sadistic. Others are happy to cuddle. One man gets off by cursing her with seductive language. It is so difficult to watch these older men having their way with the drugged beautiful Lucy who appears so angelic in her sleep.
She wants to know what happens during the night when she is in a drugged state. She puts a camera in the room and is in shock when she realizes she has been a pawn to be manipulated by these greedy old men.
It certainly is an unusual film. Many will find the plot unsettling. However I do find the cinematography exquisite. It is a daring film well produced.