Tulip Fever - A fascinating erotic love story.

Romantic period drama, set in 17th century Amsterdam.

The female protagonist Sophia (Alicia Vikander) is an orphan, raised in a convent. To safeguard her future she is married off to a wealthy merchant Cornelis (Christoph Waltz) who hopes for an heir.
She fails to fall pregnant after much trying.

Their housekeeper, Maria, is having an affair with the local fishmonger, before long she becomes pregnant but conceals this to carry on working.

Cornelis commissions a painting. The artist and Sophia fall in love, she secretly visits the artist at his studio, disguised as the housekeeper. The fishmonger follows her one day and witnesses a kiss but believes she is Maria, he is heartbroken and suddenly leaves forever.

Sophia soon becomes pregnant, so both girls are pregnant. Obviously Sophia wants to leave and plots to fake her own death in childbirth in order to be with the artist. Maria gives birth first but pretends this is Sophia's baby. Sophia is taken away in a wooden casket and soon has her own baby, her plan is to escape with the artist.

The artist tries his luck in the underworld tulip market, buys a rare bulb but loses everything when this is mistaken for an onion and accidentally eaten.

Don't believe the critics, the sets and costumes are well-done, the film delivers a fascinating erotic love story.


7/10