Sex for the first time is always an act of thievery, taken by deception or brute force. Mutual consent couldn’t possibly exist as we forge on blindly with desire. There is no stopping the beast once aroused.

In essence, Fernando and the Rapist are of the same ilk. They both represent the lascivious nature of man, the insidious scourge that seeks to corrupt and manipulate the innocent. There is no duality here. This Is primal lust. It lurches and scratches and claws and tears at the flesh until it’s needs, wants and desires are met. Any attempt to see it any other way is rather difficult to say the least.

Fat Girl makes no attempt mince words or repress thoughts. This is raw cinema. Art created with the intent of provoking. That uneasy feeling the viewer is left with is wrought with a skilled hand. It would be an inhuman soul indeed who walked away from this film without at least finding some merit in the attempt to stir social consciousness.

Statements such as this are bound to create polarization. One says art, another tripe. Regardless, Catherine Breillat has stated her case and the viewer is left to decide. Is this a profound work or an attempt to be offensive?

Given the first two acts, the ending was inevitable. Elena’s virginity being taken by deception left no alternative. Even though the last 15 minutes of film were shocking – as in, how could a man do such a thing? – they were not unexpected! Lust and desire are powerful motives. A man with a hatchet and/or an erection will stoop to the level of insanity to satiate the impulse to devour some flesh.

Everything said, Fat Girl is an interesting film and Catherine Breillat did an admirable job of directing it. However, it was a little too one sided. The feminist concept of sex being solely the product of lust is rather narrow minded. There are still noble people in this world who have sex with the desire to procreate. Not all man seek to have intercourse through deception or force.

This film conveys a half-truth and in itself is rather insidious. It is very easy to go on a witch hunt but, it’s not so easy to have an honest discourse on a touchy subject. Sure, it can not be denied that there are individuals who will do anything for sexual gratification. However, there are also men who do treat women with the respect that they deserve. How about showing a little of that in the next film?