Cleopatra's Second Husband

Running time: N/A

Paul Hipp (The Funeral) and Bitty Schram (Kissing a Fool) play Robert and Hallie Marrs, a young LA couple, who go on vacation, leaving their house in the hands of strangers. They return to find their fish as dead as the plants, everything in disarray, and housesitters, clad in the couple's clothes, refusing to leave. So begins Cleopatra's Second Husband, Jon ReissÕ creepy study of power and submission. Zack (Boyd Kestner) and Sophie (Radha Mitchell), the charismatic housesitting couple, soon infuse the repressed Robert with their erotically perverse irresponsibility. Robert, browbeaten and seemingly devoid of personality (with even his sex life regulated by his domineering wifeÕs ovulation cycle), is easily seduced by the sexy Sophie. When Hallie discovers the dalliance and leaves, Robert literally becomes the couples slave. He gives them control of his home, his credit cards, practically his entire identity, until one day, driven to the darkest edge of his psyche, he snaps. Partially inspired by a true incident, this gripping thriller is equal parts black comedy and psychological power play. Reminiscent of unnerving classics such as The Servant and The Collector, Jon Reiss's impressive debut film explores the point at which submission turns into revenge. --Meredith H. Sherter