Those who know me well, know I was linked to the Body Building world in a past life, think contestant, choreographer and judge, so it was a no brainer that I’d check out the movie Love Lies Bleeding. But this romantic thriller delivered much more than I thought.
Bored gym manager Lou (Kristin Stewart) is a woman of few words, smiles and very little interest in her clients. That was until Jackie (Katy O’Brian) walks into her small outer city gym.
Homeless Jackie has one thing in mind, getting to a Vegas bodybuilding competition. The drug-free athlete is not afraid to work hard and do whatever it takes. She knows that if she can just get to the competition, she will win and turn her life around. But first she needs a job and somewhere to stay, both unlikely in this rundown community.
The job, on a gun range, is quickly found thanks to providing a favour for a stranger in the back of his car. So too a bed it turns out, thanks to an enamored Lou.
Desperate to help her new love, Lou introduces Jackie to steroids, just a little. But as we know a little soon becomes a lot.
Things turn source when Lou realizes Jackie is working for her estranged father, a man who has caught the attention of the FBI.
The movie Love Lies Bleeding is a romantic thriller about loyalty, drugs, domestic violence, family and what you’ll do to follow your dream or love.
As the audience moved on, I pondered:
- The movie is not for everyone. There was much discussion in the bathroom, with some people loving it and some thinking it a bit slow in parts;
- There was no disagreement however about Kristin Stewart’s performance as the androgenous Lou. She was mesmerizing.
- What a treat to see Ed Harris pop up as Lou’s tough father;
- For me it was also a fun reminder of the bodybuilding world, although there were a few jarring elements, like Jackie going out to a restaurant in the runup to a competition.
Starts March 14th 2024. For more information go to Luna Cinema
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