The trouble with "Bliss" (I generously rate it a 3 out of 10) can be summed up very quickly. It is all theme and no plot. So intent was writer/director Lance Young in telling us his views on sexual abuse and healing that he forgot that a movie must first have a story to tell.
"Bliss" seems much more like a Psychology student's graduate school thesis than it does a legitimate movie. The major plot points become mere afterthoughts: How does Joseph discover that Maria is visiting a sexual therapist? He accidentally sees her walking into the office. How does Marie discover that Joseph is seeing the same therapist? She accidentally sees him walking into the office. That's how much imagination was put into developing the story.
Director Lance Young has cast the movie well, but his actors have little to play with and all end up looking rather foolish. As the lead actress, Sheryl Lee is a perfect example. She simply plays a toned down version of Laura Palmer from "Twin Peaks" fame. In fact, this movie could almost have been titled "Laura Palmer Didn't Die But Instead Got Married And Became A Rather Boring Housewife." Although that title would not have sold a lot of tickets.
Of course, don't take my word for all this. If you really want to see how good or bad this movie is, simply check out writer/director Lance Young's credits here on the IMDb. Made back in 1997, "Bliss" is still the only credit in either his writing or directing career.
There is a reason for that.
"Bliss" seems much more like a Psychology student's graduate school thesis than it does a legitimate movie. The major plot points become mere afterthoughts: How does Joseph discover that Maria is visiting a sexual therapist? He accidentally sees her walking into the office. How does Marie discover that Joseph is seeing the same therapist? She accidentally sees him walking into the office. That's how much imagination was put into developing the story.
Director Lance Young has cast the movie well, but his actors have little to play with and all end up looking rather foolish. As the lead actress, Sheryl Lee is a perfect example. She simply plays a toned down version of Laura Palmer from "Twin Peaks" fame. In fact, this movie could almost have been titled "Laura Palmer Didn't Die But Instead Got Married And Became A Rather Boring Housewife." Although that title would not have sold a lot of tickets.
Of course, don't take my word for all this. If you really want to see how good or bad this movie is, simply check out writer/director Lance Young's credits here on the IMDb. Made back in 1997, "Bliss" is still the only credit in either his writing or directing career.
There is a reason for that.