Guilty Pleasures

Founded in 1908 as a general publisher, Mills & Boon is now synonymous with romance novels. After focusing on the genre in the 1930s, the company has thrived, with a book now sold every four seconds. In her sophomore documentary feature, writer/director Julie Moggan delves into the attraction of the pulp fiction staple. Accordingly, Guilty Pleasures provides a simple study of the fantasy and actuality of five people associated with the novels, either as writers, models or avid readers.

Moggan’s protagonists comprise a microcosm of society, emphasising the permeating prominence of the passionate paperbacks. Her first subject is author of nearly 50 books Gill Sanderson, soon revealed to be mild-mannered English pensioner Roger. Next, we meet Japanese housewife Hiroko, who takes up ballroom dancing in an attempt to live the magic of her favourite novels. In India, Shumita finds her confidence in the well-thumbed pages, as she copes with the machinations of her misogynistic estranged husband.

Back in the UK, Shirley is also an aficionado, with the words worlds away from her own romantic situation with bipolar partner Phil. And then there’s New Yorker Stephen, the cover model for more than 200 publications, who spends his time looking for love, working on his physique and finding solace in new age spiritualism. Together, the quintet unveils their dreams and desires, as well as their relationships with the famous reading material. From a source of income to an opportunity to escape reality, the trashy novels underscore their existence.

In an approach reminiscent of her previous effort As the Sun Begins to Set, Moggins intertwines each separate story for dramatic effect. In doing so, she compares the five figures and their personal situations, enunciating the commonalities. Whilst each hails from differing backgrounds, they share more than a link to the libidinous literature. Indeed, they each embody the vast chasm between fiction and fact, with the latter bearing little resemblance to the former.

Yet other than highlighting the idealised nature of the prose on the pages, the film provides little informative content. The tales presented all intrigue and interest, but fail to explore why Mills & Boon novels are so successful, apart from their escapist status. Accordingly, Guilty Pleasures offers a slight and sweet glimpse at the aftermath of their influence, rather than the origin. In doing so, it remains an amiable diversion, rather like the disposable novels at its core.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Guilty Pleasures
Director: Julie Moggan
UK, 2010, 86 min

Unclassified 18+
Screening at ACMI
February 2–February 5, 2012
Bookings: www.acmi.net.au