Tell Me What You Want is an erotic, sexy drama, exploring the intertwined themes of arousal, frailty and emotional recovery. In its essence, the movie is about passionate and raging romance between a bereaved businessman, Eric Zimmerman, and his young secretary, Judith Flores. Against the backdrop of the energetic setting of Madrid, the scenes of the two characters at the start of their relationship are electric and full of exploration and verbal nakedness. The novel makes you hooked on its theme of human desire to have intimacy and how love can be at times a place of refuge and at times a cause of terror particularly when secrets are about to be revealed.
The movie is sensual and introspective and there is a focus on character building and emotional integrity. The playmes are strong and the actors depict the inner turmoil of their characters with delicate and profoundness. The fact that Eric is struggling with his fears of telling his secret internally contributes to a certain tension that permeates the story, but Judith is open and curious, which creates a contrast. This good direction wisely opposes the erotic scenes with the moments of vulnerability and self discovery, making the story quite layered and genuine and involving. The camera work and soundtrack goes hand in hand with the intimate feel, and the vibrant energy of Madrid and the emotional experience of the characters.
What struck me the most was the way in which the film expressed desire as not the physical attraction only but rather the way of knowing who one is and facing fears. It got me thinking of how secrets may both enslave and liberate us, and how love usually requires us to be vulnerable. Although the material is very suggestive, it is the sincerity of the film, which is the real strength, the desire of human beings and the bravery it takes to follow this desire. It is a quiet but effective contemplation on the nuances of intimacy, provoking and evocative in a way that is fully emotionally loaded.
