The second film in the EMMANUELLE series retains some of the glossy sensuality that made the first film such a hit. However, the episodic storyline shamelessly paves the way for a near-mechanical repetition of events.
The story begins with Emmanuelle (Sylvia Kristel) sailing from Thailand to Hong Kong. Her trip is enlivened by Ingrid (Caroline Laurence), a young German woman who tells Emmanuelle about her rape by three Asian women. Upon her return home, Emmanuelle discovers that her husband Jean (Umberto
Orsini) has invited a houseguest to stay over. Christopher (Frederic Lagache) is an aviator who, despite Emmanuelle's advances, is only interested in Asian women. In the meantime, thanks to the "open" marriage he enjoys with Emmanuelle, Jean has been carrying on with Laura (Florence Lafuma).
Emmanuelle finally gets her wish and beds Christopher, after a number of similar interludes. The film's finale takes place in Bali, where Emmanuelle and Jean sexually initiate Anna-Maria (Catherine Rivet), Laura s stepdaughter.
JOYS OF A WOMAN shows that Kristel and company could still generate some steam, but this was definitely the last entertaining title in the series. (The inaccurately titled GOODBYE EMMANUELLE followed). Atmosphere is everything in the vignettes presented here, and photographer-turned-director
Francis Giacobetti makes the most of his cast's limited acting ability. The focus of attention, naturally enough, is Kristel, who succeeds in making Emmanuelle both a naive submissive and an agressive seductress. (Extensive nudity, sexual situations, profanity.) leave a comment