Anthony and his young spouse Estella, played by Tara Fitzgerald, arrive at Lindsay's estate to find the artist, portrayed by Sam Neill, busily painting away. Norman's earthy wife and three resident female models serve as his inspiration, and clothing on the four is, more oft than not, unabashedly optional. This in-your-face display of live, nubile flesh leaves the Reverend rather tongue-tied and confused (as only Grant can play it). At first, wife Estella shares her husband's righteous indignation. Then, the lush, humid, tropical surroundings and free-spirited lifestyle of the Lindsay estate, along with the presence of a hunky handyman, begin to work their liberating magic on her repressed desires. (A very nice touch is the representation of Temptation as a large serpent that slithers through occasional scenes unnoticed by anyone but the viewer.)

It all sounds potentially raunchy, but never is. Rather than being a manipulative, licentious debauchee, Neill's on-screen persona is one of an amused, live and let live observer of human nature - a sort of detached Hugh Hefner. There's an abundance of casual nudity, but it's almost artistically presented. The sexual nature of a couple scenes is more sensuous than bawdy. And, one of this film's undeniable attractions is real-life model Elle MacPherson, who plays the role of one of the uninhibited SIRENS, and who shows an eyeful. Boy, does she ever. It's an amusing and well-done adult, fairy tale.


Beautiful, erotic, and unashamed.   September 11, 2001
 24 out of 29 found this review helpful

I have always had trouble with the fact that all the posters, adverts, and box-notes for this film make it out to be some kind of romantic comedy for Hugh Grant and Elle MacPherson. Such a position is not only misleading, it's flat-out untrue.

Sirens is about the debate of human sexuality, and the two extreme opinions: Grant's Catholic priest and the tight-laced conservatives who denounce sexuality as sinful and guilty, and Neill's bohemian artist, his family, and his live-in models, who celebrate it as healthy and wholesome. It's obvious from the start which side writer/director John Duigan supports, but he gives both sides their due. The principals and the minor characters are all entertaining and well-acted, even if only Tara Fitzgarald's Estella and Portia DiRossi's Giddy get any real development through the story.

Credit is also due to the production side, especially to cinematographer Geoff Burton, who provides lush and beautiful visuals throughout, and composer Rachel Portman, who skillfully interweaves the mystical and the mirthful.

If you're looking for a romantic comedy or a chance to see Elle MacPherson prance around in the alltogether, leave this alone. But if you're interested in a sumptuous, non-exploitive, and thought-provoking discourse on our sexuality and how it makes us human, Sirens is a movie to treasure.


A entertaining wander through early Australian ethics   February 8, 2001
 3 out of 14 found this review helpful

As a film about a deliberately controversial artist it was amusing. A generally good story enhanced greatly by some very erotic scenes with Elle MacPherson and the blond out of Ally McBeal!


'Sirens' is not the world's greatest film   February 17, 2000
 7 out of 34 found this review helpful

Even if you're tempted to watch this video for a chance to see Elle MacPherson in very few clothes, don't bother! It's execrable from start to finish - the acting, the heavy-handed symbolism... everything! This is possibly the worst of Hugh Grant's films, which is saying something.