Nessieldwi
Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.
ChanFamous
I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.
AshUnow
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
Lidia Draper
Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
asmailrabbit
I really wanted to like this movie. The opening shots were beautiful, and there were some very well thought out and artistic angles and scenes throughout the movie, like many European films, but overall it failed for me. I first started noticing it when they began showing the beautiful gossamer fabric blowing in the doorway over and over and over again. Soon it became droning and devoid of the magical and suggestive quality it had in its first appearance. That didn't bother me too terribly much, but then it started happening with the two main characters, Hugo and Frederic. I realize that all the scenes with them sitting in the chairs in the dirt outside the house were probably each reminiscences on a single event, but it was still torturous. There were so many of those scenes, and they were boring. The dialogue seemed pretentious on Hugo's part, though in Frederic's fumbling, bumbling way he managed to remain somewhat charming. Still, I found myself praying that they wouldn't cut back to the boring chair scene. I vowed to fast forward after the fourth time, but I didn't. Couldn't they mix it up a little? Break up that conversation, talk and walk, talk and swim, SOMETHING else. I don't know what was so great about Hugo, anyway. He was a vulgar, rude, lecherous, run-of-the-mill playboy and he was a terrible dad. **/***** stars.
ekeby
This film is so well photographed, produced, acted, scripted, etc., I feel a bit caddish for complaining about any aspect of it. The photography is beautiful, lush at times, and often original. Much of the story takes place in dreams, or in a dream-like state, and the cinematographer does a good job conveying as much. The film returns repeatedly to segments of an all night conversation between the two male leads, revealing nothing particularly extraordinary. Their dialog is the kind college kids have when they're talking about The Meaning of It All. But aspects of that discussion are played off against events occurring around them in the days that follow. It's a nice structure, one that lends itself to the dreamy photography.I think the film could have been truly great if just a bit of the thematic and visual metaphors had been scaled back. This slight excess is noticeable, and that, I think, is a shame. Don't get me wrong--this is so far and away above the quality of most gay cinema it's definitely worth seeing, and thoroughly enjoyable. I think Netflix has categorized this film as Foreign, rather than as Gay & Lesbian. It's French, so it clearly belongs to the former, but it is also a top tier example of the latter.
avnerkam
A lovely film about a somewhat-romantic friendship between a straight married man and a gay single guy. An interesting note is that this story was written and directed by a woman, Zabou Breitman. The dynamics between the men, more subtle and conversational than physical, allow us to learn more than if the issue of sex was raised quickly. The romance is not about sexual attraction, but the role people play in he life of the other that bring forth emotions. This is a rich film, combining philosophy with sensuality, whimsy with beauty. While the pace is slow, there are twists along the way, beautiful cinematography, humorous bursts and many believable characters to keep us interested. Well worth viewing.
rasecz
Summer somewhere in France. A couple and their young son invite family and friends to enjoy a warm rural holiday at their old but comfortable summer house. A neighbor, a middle-aged single man, is invited to join the first night's outdoor party. It is quickly revealed that the man is gay. He and the husband start a tentative friendship. How far will it go? Beyond the apparently simple plot line, what struck me about this film were the visual aspects. A playful camera delights us with unconventional angles, framing, superpositions and transitions. Combining beautiful cinematography and great editing, the end result is a superb film. The tango music is icing on the cake.