When reviewing a movie, critics tend to trawl through the elements that made it work, things like clever plotting, intense performances, lavish set design and the like. But we often seem to overlook one of the most essential elements of cinema: sex appeal.
Perhaps this is because in a good film, the hottie factor is a bonus, like the frothy head on a latte. A bad film, meanwhile, can curdle sex appeal entirely, making it seem almost like a parody of itself. (Think Joseph Fiennes and Heather Graham in Chen Kaige's "Killing Me Softly.")
It's those borderline films -- almost, but not quite there -- where a little sex appeal can really make the difference between something watchable and the fast-forward button. Tastes differ, but this critic can instantly think of recent films where the on-screen presence of Emmanuelle Beart, Beatrice Dalle or Shu Qi was about the only reason to keep watching through the last reel.