House of Tolerance

A profound look into the world of prostitution in the turn of the century Victorian Paris. The story delves deep into the lives and minds of prostitutes who live together in a brothel. Their emotions, their dreams and their fate are examined one by one and collectively. Unfortunately, the narrative becomes dull and scattered. It may reflect the subject matter but it loses focus and meanders off into the abstract. However, the cinematography, the acting and moments of bold authenticity make up for it's short comings. A fair warning of a gruesome scene should be included in the description. Even though it may be necessary to convey the message effectively.

The beautiful actresses did an impeccable job with a rather mopey, maudlin and monotonous plot and rather over-the-top violence. I didn't hate the storyline, which vaguely follows the psychological and sexual evolution of a character called The Laughing One/Jewess, and I praise the bold premise of exploring prostitues' sexuality and inner world, but I agree with other reviewers said: The soundtrack was cringe in places and the character development was spread thin among too many characters and weak. I love some of the themes here but I found myself wishing I could "unsee" certain scenes.

Meh Warning: Spoilers Interesting setting, boring story The setting was interesting, both location- and time-wise. However the story is incredibly disappointing. The plot drifts throughout and ultimately goes nowhere.

Interesting setting, boring story The setting was interesting, both location- and time-wise. However the story is incredibly disappointing. The plot drifts throughout and ultimately goes nowhere.

Superbly directed and beautiful picture but which leaves you ultimately indifferent. The theme of decadence of a traditional brothel should've been the main focus, not blurry afterthought, meandering in the background, instead we get monotone melodrama about day-to-day in world's oldest profession but then again, director might've known better, than to pretend he can say anything that hasn't been said about this soul-sucking and hedonistic racket.

After an unsettling start, it turns into a rather fascinating (albeit melodramatic) film.

Visually aesthetic and pleasing film that shows how we can understand humanity and camaraderie from anywhere. The stories of the girls is not one of pity but of struggle and living and surviving in a world that treats women as objects. The film shows that a discussion is needed when it comes to prostitution as it shows at the end of the with the way prostitution is today in its current climate. Maybe the film shows more of being an advocate of brothels with is gaiety and life and safety, though there is a risk of attack as is shown. Though the film explores the nihilism of prostitution and the girls wanting to get out for a better life, its the colours of the photography that bring it to life with its authentic looking shots and decor. A very good film

Not the sex-fest you would imagine from the title, but this French movie does depict lots of female nudity (all of it appealing in its many shapes and sizes). This brothel houses many prostitutes of varying age and beauty. The clients are mostly the same men who return night after night building hope in the ladies for a brighter future. This is depressing and overly long but it did keep my interest. The camaraderie among the ladies was a pleasure to watch.

Fascinating look inside a brothel at the turn of the century in Paris. A little slow sometimes.

In English, titled as House of Tolerance or House of Pleasures, this film follows the lives of a handful of Parisian prostitutes at an elite brothel during the turn of the 20th century(1899-1900). Beautiful cinematography paralleled with a modern yet somehow completely fitting score makes this film an all around aesthetically pleasing experience. There is elegance in every shot, however gruesome and disturbing the content gets. Listed under the drama genre, however, I would not recommended this Bertrand Bonello directed film to those who are not familiar with art house cinema.