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.

Interesting setting, but boring story. Drifts throughout and ultimately goes nowhere.

HOUSE OF PLEASURES is truly astonishing. This gorgeous sumptuous film brilliantly depicts prostitution as nothing short of enslavement. Director Bertrand Bonello pulls off quite a feat. He shows how prostitution in the Belle Epoque, so often glamorized in art, was actually a nightmare of brutality. He then includes brief passages of late 20th century music and split screens, to clearly comment on our current world in which prostitution continues to destroy lives. Most importantly, Bonello never makes the sex kinky or titillating. The film is gorgeous but Bonello never loses his insights. At no point would one think this world is beautiful or wonderful. He also doesn't over due the ghastliness of it all. The film is long, and it feels long, which is the key to its success. You live the lives of these women, only once leaving the bordello. In small ways we see how prostitution breaks the spirit and literally kills. A magnificent work with true depth and insight. Bravo to all involved!

Disturbing in parts but nonetheless, this look into a turn of the century brothel has compelling gals who perform the same tasks but are from so many diverse and interesting backgrounds.

Difficile d'embarquer dans l'histoire car pas d'action à suivre. Juste du voyeurisme. je vais essayer de nouveau mais

I thought it was a very well done, very deep and thoughtful, although tragic, piece. I really disliked the modern music in the beginning and throughout it, though. When I watch a period piece, I like to be able to sort of believe that I am seeing something going on in that time. Music from a totally different era is like a reminder popping up on the screen saying "THIS IS JUST MAKE BELIEVE".

Un acercamiento profundo del espectador hacia lo que fue y es el mundo de la prostitución. No es película para todo publico, pero es una bella representación estética de Francia a comienzos del siglo XX, vista a través de una casa de lenocinio y las tristes historias a su alrededor. Para quien gusta de una buena puesta en escena y una historia lenta pero descarnada.

Strange, weird, thus erotic, rough, bold and brutally real. I like how all the naked women formed a rather illusive and fascinating painting than a cheap graphic downstream pornography. It is definitely a film that will make you think about the things people usually forget, because it is tough, sometimes it is easier to just forget it.

There is a need for real dramas in the bordello, I don't particularly enjoy pretty pictures

It is although way much better than thought, still not a tiny interesting piece to watch after all.

I found the movie to be rather weird but it did stay on my mind for a while and even invoked thought.