BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

bandw This story that begins with a young man being seduced by an older man turns into a sexual free-for-all when the men are joined by previous female lovers (well, one of the women was male but had a sex change that turned him into the beautiful Anna Thomson). A better title might have been, "The Varieties of Sexual Experience." Even with the nudity on display (both male and female) and the sex scenes, I found myself at a total emotional remove. For starters I could not believe for a second the relationship between the older Leo and the younger Franz. I never felt that there was any true chemistry between them and the plot depends heavily on your believing that.The use of color and interesting camera work does add value--in fact I might have enjoyed this movie better with the sound off. The many sights of Ludivine Sagnier's naked body will have certain appeal to a large segment of the viewers.The final act soars into the surreal; some may find it humorous, but I found it simply absurd. Fortunately for me this film was only eighty minutes long.

Rogue-32 Another daring tightrope act from Francois Ozon, this time directing an unproduced play written by Fassbinder when he was 19. To say this film is offbeat would be an understatement; it doesn't proceed in any 'normal' way at all and by the conclusion you're left shaking your head with your jaw dropped. This is a good thing.

rosscinema This is based on a play that Rainer Werner Fassbinder wrote when he was just 19 and his bleak outlook is very evident. This four character story starts out with a 50 year old German named Leopold (Bernard Giraudeau) who has brought home a 20 year old boy named Franz (Malik Zidi) and he seduces him and it doesn't take long for Franz to move in and cook his meals, draw his bath, clean house and do whatever else he wants. They bicker and argue but Franz doesn't leave. One day Franz has his ex-girlfriend Anna (Ludivine Sagnier) over to talk and they have sex for two days and they decide that he'll leave and they'll get married but he still admits he loves Leopold. Leopold arrives home early and they talk and it doesn't take long for Leopold to seduce Anna and then the door knocks and its Vera (Anna Thomson) who is Leopolds ex-lover and use to be a man! This film is directed by Francois Ozon and his films seem to deal with characters trying to maintain a relationship no matter what the circumstances. The character of Leopold can be described as Svengali, or a spider or a pimp. And the apartment that Leopold lives in is a very important element to this story. All the characters that have entered don't leave, or at least they don't leave for good. I think Franz realized this and thats why he committed the ultimate act. The last shot in the film tells the viewer that the characters are trapped in Leopolds web as Vera is unable to open the window. Ozon has developed into a very interesting filmmaker and this is a pretty thought provoking story. Its definitely not just a gay film. This is a provocative drama that is far more complicated than that!

raymond-15 The film version of Fassbinder's play retains the theatrical structure with 4 acts, 4 actors and 4 great performances. The dialogue wins you over at once and keeps you in rapt attention hanging on every word. Leopold a persuasive self-indulgent bi-sexual restructures the lives of 3 people as he introduces them to new sexual adventures. First there's Franz a good-looking 20 year old who is contemplating marriage with his girlfriend Anna. He becomes confused about love when he has a homosexual dream which Leopold is only too happy to recreate once he has enticed the somewhat inexperienced Franz into his bed. Then there's Anna who is agreeably surprised at the change in Franz's sexual attitude. She too is overwhelmed by Leopold's advances towards her. Thirdly there's Vera - now a woman, once a man - Leopold's ex-lover perhaps more confused and disappointed than any of them. It's an entertaining romp as we watch the hand of experience "create" new lives for each of them. Leopold always in search of novelty knows what each victim is yearning for and he is only too ready to meet their desires....at least until the novelty wears off. I felt the first three acts were absolutely flawless. Act 4 with its black humour was less appealing I thought. The telephone call to his mother was quite unforgettable....."I think I'll go to Heaven because I'm young!"....and spoken with such dead pan sincerity. And the follow-up call to mother was a real gem. Yes...it's the dialogue that fascinates and holds the play together... the casting too is exceptional....and as for the old game of Ludo.... it will be so much more meaningful to me in the future!