None of the reviews I read (on Netflix) before seeing the film hand mentioned this movie being based on true events-- a noteworthy fact given the disturbing storyline... Either way, this film is definitely not for everyone. It's about deeply troubled people. It's VERY dark & very cold, made even more so by the meticulous art direction, camera work and editing.The cast is terrific, with a heartbreaking performance by Maria Bello who tackles her character with perfect emotional tone and tempo. It's a tough role precisely because it's so disturbing, and if overacted or otherwise played wrong, the character could become unlikeable, maudlin or self-indulgent. Bello manages to be none of these things. I didn't find the sex scenes gratuitous, or as one critic called it, "soft-porn". I felt the scenes were in fact appropriately restrained. And there were many tender moments and much pathos throughout the film, including in some of the S&M scenes.As for the question of why Nancy simply didn't leave the marriage, she herself explains this when confronted by Louis with the same question. This is not the story of a woman with normal problems, marital or otherwise. This is the story of a woman who as was sexually abused as a child by her uncle, and for a long time. With a mother who only exacerbated that emotional damage by blaming Nancy for the abuse. As is typical of many sexual-abuse victims, Nancy translated the abuse into "being loved", which compelled her to long for it in subsequent relationships. The therapy she finally seeks is too-little/too-late for someone with her type and degree of emotional disturbance.I was okay with the ending and am glad they didn't decide to lighten things up and make it more commercially viable by going for a "happy ending" and having Nancy live happily ever after with Louis. That would be too Hollywood. The sad truth is that, in real life, some people simply can't overcome the pain of such prolonged and heinous abuse, and some end up choosing death over life as the ultimate release from unbearable pain...

You don't have to have any identification with the issues to truly appreciate this moving piece of cinema. I cannot understand the bad reviews. Thanks to the incredible acting of the three main leads, the pain of Nancy is so palpable that the ending comes as as relief, not only for her, but for the audience as well. There are no good guys, or bad guys. Sewell as the cold and emotionless husband is as deserving of pity by the end as Nancy and her internet friend.As a piece of film-making this is an exemplary effort - the acting, the production design, the music and not least of all the direction, cannot fail to move.I am pretty much hard as nails (I didn't even cry at ET!) but this film has stayed with me ever since I first saw it, and loses none of its power on every viewing. Not that you want to watch it too many times.Fans of alternative cinema will love it - A profoundly moving cinematic cry for help. I thought it was horribly beautiful.

Low rating is due to film shortcomings and not content of the movie or graphic scenes – I am perfectly fine with the subject matter.Maria Bello's portrayal of Nancy is lacking on many levels. I feel no empathy towards her and further into the movie I begin to look forward to her death to end her whiny self-absorbed and childish behavior. Another walking skeleton actress who needs to eat something because the sex scenes were not sexy or engaging. How we are supposed to believe that not only one man, but two are in love with this train wreck is beyond me and derails the entire movie.I understand that her childhood abuse contributed to her emotional problems, but leave the marriage like every other dysfunctional person; there were no kids to keep her there (another understandably depressing issue but of course she can't adopt, right?). Nope. She just stays and tortures her husband and flings potatoes at him and wonders why he won't screw her – that's hot…not. If she really wanted to be tortured and killed, then go live on the street and get raped and beaten, probably killed. Nope. Comfy house with husband worrying about her while she emails other men and cuts herself.I've seen the criticism and discussion of the husband Albert as being unresponsive and contributory. I feel that this portrayal or opinion is unfair. He seems to be worn from 15 years of marriage to this roller-coaster twit; every emotion has already been extracted many times over so what is the use. Sewell has it down perfectly for me. If the husband was making her unhappy, then she had every opportunity to leave over 15 years. It just looks like she enjoyed being supported so she did not work and could concentrate on her neuroses.Patric as the boyfriend/killer was okay. Maybe it was the script, but I just did not get enough conviction that his character derived pleasure and satisfaction.I had a classmate that committed suicide in 6th grade. By this real life standard, Nancy is an epic failure at her deepest desire to end her pain this far along. The story then becomes one of fetish and narcissism instead of desperation. There is no discussion to be had regarding lack of understanding, compassion or experience in the aforementioned subjects; I have plenty and draw from real life my assessment that the characters and storyline are not cohesive and true to life. This story is inspired by a real life story – I did research it after I viewed the movie. It also solidified my opinion more.

The masochist housewife Nancy (Maria Bello) is a physically and psychologically destroyed woman. She had been so violently abused by her uncle since she was seven years old that she can not have babies anymore. She is ignored by her selfish husband Albert (Rufus Sewell), who does not have sex with her or give any attention to her problems, dedicating his leisure time to play a virtual golf game in a special room in their fancy house. The psychoanalyst Carol (Amy Brenneman) unsuccessfully tries to help Nancy to resolve her emotional issues with therapy. When Nancy contacts the sick sadomasochist Louis (Jason Patrick) in internet, she schedules a meeting with him in Baltimore to release her from her painful life. They meet each other and have kinky sex, but along the days together, Louis falls in love for Nancy and tries to persuade her to stay alive. "Downloading Nancy" is a disturbing, powerful and heartbreaking movie with a story apparently based on a true event. Yesterday when I saw this film, I felt very uncomfortable with the dramatic story of Nancy, a woman destroyed by sexual abuses in the childhood and adolescence, and rejection and lack of love in her marriage. The gorgeous Maria Bello performing a character without any glamor gives a performance that should deserve a nomination to the Oscar, if this ridiculous institution were slightly honest and serious. Rufus Sewell is amazing in the role of a selfish man totally indifferent to the emotional problems of his needy wife. Jason Patrick is also excellent and there is one specific scene absolutely gruesome when he has sex with Nancy and a piece of glass. The non-linear screenplay makes the difference in this film, disclosing the drama of the lead character through flashbacks and intelligent dialogs. This mature movie is only recommended for very specific audiences and the DVD should have a warning in this regard. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Distúrbios do Prazer" ("Disturbs of the Pleasure")