The Lure (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

It's billed as a horror flick but it's really more of a dark fairy tale. If you don't speak Polish and you don't like subtitles, give this one a pass, otherwise get ready for some dark neon-soaked eastern European storytelling. This movie takes its time, it's not in a rush, it wants you to chew a little bit and get that fishy taste into your mouth.

A fantastic hidden gem. This genre smashing dark, bloody fairy tale musical version of the little mermaid myth may sound crazy (and it certainly is at times), but works amazingly well. Two siren sisters are found on the river bank and become a nightclub sensation. Not only is this unique film filled with an atmosphere of neon lights, cigarette smokey Warsaw nightlife, and great use of watery, fishy, and slimey effects but is also a provocative take on alienation, exploitation, assimilation into a foreign culture and definitely female identity and empowerment. The catchy assortment of 1980's retro musical numbers add a lively and charming touch to the somewhat gruesome story, but admittedly may not be everyone's cup of tea. I was surprised how much I liked this- it just may be my favourite musical. Best described as a glamourous Eurotrashy mix of Tim Burton (especially if you enjoyed his Sweeney Todd), a bit of David Lynch, and The Shape of Water meets Jennifer's Body if it was made like a really cool La La Land. Perfect for fans of American Horror Story, and the underappreciated, hilarious Scream Queens. The Criterion Blu ray looks and sounds excellent and includes a making-of documentary, some deleted scenes, and two short films by the director. A diamond in the rough and a very exciting find.

Had to check this one out from the library first to see if I’d like it and yes indeed, it’s a keeper. Bizarre Polish movie that is combination horror-musical-fantasy. In Polish, subtitles are easy to read. It’s about two mermaids who wind up on a Polish shoreline. The get taken to an adult disco to be residents there due to their beautiful voices. The movie turns dark as the mermaids get involved in the cultural underworld. They kill by eating hearts out. Well acted, beautiful vibrant colors, interesting storyline and professional song and dance numbers. If you like weird movies, this one should fit the bill. Released on Criterion, so that should tell you this is not a low budget flick. Highly recommend.

Unfortunately, we have a film that means one thing for people who know the story of its making -- who have read all of the pamphlets and press releases -- and something very different for those who don't. If you just watch the film, you see. . . a fine thing. Adolescent female sexuality, with all of its alienation from one's own body, the fear and thrill of sexual power and sexual vulnerability, retold as a mermaid. A girl is a mermaid: her body is half fish, half Other, and she is desired/desiring, but with an awful sacrifice of the selfhood. And yet this metaphor is wasted, because that isn't what the movie does. The movie is the autobiography of two women who grew up in the last days of "Communist" Poland and its strip clubs/discos. Therefore, its nostalgia, its picaresque of children being innocently backstage while degradation takes place, and its interruptions of domestic violence and alcoholism just. . . intrude. The result is incoherent, ineffective, and something like a topless Cabaret mixed with Hans Christian Andersen.

Classic beautiful haunting tale of 2 mermaids. highly recommend for musical score, songs are magical.

Beautiful and unique film

Amé esta película. Recomiendo leer el cuento de Andersen ...está película es una nueva manera de contar la misma historia. Igual de triste. Excelentes canciones.

Fair Warning, this film consists of casual nudity, blood-focused gore, and possible sadness and rage.The Lure is a unique beauty and strange experience; these sister sirens become immersed in the wild world of 80s cabaret full of color, glam, and beloved nonsense scenes. The film's musical aspect shows the sirens' power and how such an ability can shower them with money and attention. However, no one can fully hypnotize someone to love you forever.My favorite aspect of this film is how singing and silence become a strange new language. Even if some actors had relatively straightforward expressions, the subtlety of facial and body communication between the sisters really creates a new layer of emotional connection. I also enjoyed the different twist on their anatomy and private language. The last 30 minutes or so is deeply odd then heartbreaking, so tears /may/ escape.

This is stunningly good.Visually strong. Audibly complex. Wild, wonderful and unique.The film's story is taken from the original written dark composition by Hans Christian Anderson, but modernised, revamped, upgraded fairly twisted. To say it is actually darker and more grotesque than the 18th century published book of The Little Mermaid, is an understatement, but its true (and pretty gory at times). However it stays within that fine borderline and remains in keeping with the overall thread of the sureal lives of two sister mermaids entering, luringly, into the bonkers and exploitative world of humans on dry land, so to speak.The spfx makeup and mermaid modeling is as realistic as it gets. In fact the huge slithery slimy sea-creature tails and spines were so heavy the two brilliant young women who performed these beguiling but fearsome sirens had to train specialy to enable both swimming and on-land movements.The scenes, locations and sets were fabulously filmed and portrayed, providing greater dimension and depth as well as detatchment from reality, but not so much that we do not recognise it.The film covers 4 genres of horror, fantasy, drama and musical, with very well designed photography, songwriting and overall production value by seamlessly melding these 4 characteristics with 3 filming styles.This film is truly exceptional and really very original in its handling of old but fascinating source material that has enchanted and engrossed us with these legendary tales (no pun) of merpeople for more than three thousand years.Extra features include: quite a long documentary with interviews on the making of the film, deleted and alternative scenes, two short films and an essay.The bluray case is well designed with a lengthy foldout info card containg a good critique of the film.Very well done.(Amazon do not delete)

I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a mermaid movie, and so when I found out about The Lure, I simply had to see it. When I learned that not only was it a mermaid movie, it was also a musical and somewhat of a horror film, I was even more intrigued.The plot is a retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story The Little Mermaid, set in 80s Poland. I don’t speak a word of Polish, but subtitles never bothered me anyway. The major difference between this film and the source material is that instead of one mermaid, there are two sisters who go ashore in search of something. One for love, and the other for fun and apparently the occasional hot meal. It’s pretty obvious how everything will play out but it’s still compelling to watch. The ending is bittersweet but a vast improvement on the HCA story, if like me you agree that any guy who flippantly casts aside a mermaid’s love deserves what’s coming to him.As for the music, it’s so catchy I bought the soundtrack. Once again, I don’t speak a word of Polish but that hasn’t stopped me from caterwauling along, much to the delight of my neighbors.I have recommended this movie only to my friends who have an attention span longer than the average superhero movie worshipping filmgoer. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a fan of the unusual or you just want to see some of the creepiest mermaid tails ever put on screen, it’s definitely worth a look.

Crazy, awesome, sexy, absurd, beautiful, funny, scary, sad film!