ladewi

As someone who has seen many gay themed films..I am well aware that in the RELIEF film makers have in being able to express films from their perspective..honestly, the theme can go bad fast. Most of the time , in an effort to express how gays and lesbians are just people , a belief I hold..a lot of the movies are just stories you have heard before , but with the players being gay. So it's hard, at least for ME to be impressed by a film, when I've seen the plot before, if the only difference is the character's sexuality. Well I think that is where this film EXCELS.

This film tells it's story in flashbacks and present. We meet Peter,and we are told his story of how he has come to the situation of being arrested and charged with the murder of his lover Nassim. We see how Peter meets the intriguing and passionate young man.. We see how Peter's repressed sexuality & psychological passion is awakened by Nassim . The initial sexual encounter speaks volumes. Peter holds back but is astonished wonder . Nassim is eager and open in every way. It is a wonderful, passionate, erotic, and beautiful encounter. And yet it is shot in a way that doesn't come across as gratuitous . And then we view the consequences of it all. Peter loses everything for the chance to be himself. Yet Nassim is passionate in such a child like manner, his wild eyed wonderment is intoxicating to Peter in the beginning, but like any relationship, that "Honeymoon phase" fades. When Peter becomes cranky and difficult , Nassim runs away.

And here is where the story gets a little tricky. There are points when you aren't sure of Peter's guilt or innocence, after you see some of Nassim's behavior. Yet you feel for Peter either way. If he did it you understand and sympathize, and if he didn't..you are hurting that he could lose even more, after he has lost so much ...all for love. You see a man sacrifice so much for love only to watch every one around him leave,loss of financial security,and the loss of what all was sacrificed for. It is a bittersweet movie . But much better than I ever expected.

The kaleidescope of images that make up the beautiful opening credits (which is probably the best opening I've seen in a long time) truly sets the tone for this film. And in this film ,just like a kaleidescope, the parts that make it up seem simple enough. You have the pretty wife, the cute kid, and the husband with a secret. You have the lover on the side, a handsome doctor. But this handsome Doctor Diego, played wonderfully by Javier Bardem, is having an affair with Alberto, the husband in the not so perfect marriage. But , just like the kaleidescope ,this is where the simplicity ends. We've all seen the films of people finding out, and coming to terms with their sexuality.That's what makes this film unique. It's not another "I'm discovering I'M Gay" picture. This movie doesn't follow that typical plot. The kaleidescope effect comes into play. You have to deal with a range of emotions that for me, at first, made me completely loath Alberto . The wife suspects, the wife finds out, yet Alberto's lies are too deeply woven in his psyche . And although Diego knows there's not something quite right, but because he's in love, he looks past them. He wants to believe he's not a fool.Alberto incessantly lies to both his wife, and his lover.The man is completely arrogant and self absorbed on every level. He is indifferent to his wife and Diego.Though his wife knows, he makes promises to her he can't keep. And he strings Diego along with more lies and distance, with complete disregard for the mans love for him.. I was completely hateful in regards to Alberto, but the more I thought about it..the more he came across to me as a man so desperately and selfishly in love with two people , and what each had to offer, that he actually couldn't fathom losing either one of them. The range of emotions, from love, betrayal , trust , and understanding are just a few of the emotions that come into play. I love how this movie isn't about being gay, but how one person can effect the lives of others with the tangled web of deception , that eventually effects and destroys exactly what one was trying to hold onto in the first place.I know many are disappointed with the conclusion of the story. But for me, I found the journey far more important to what was the obvious and inevitable outcome.Ohh..and the man on man sex scene...SMOKING HOT!

This movie is somewhat of a crapshoot.It's hard to say you like a film like this.But I will say it.I liked this film.It achieves what it set out to do.It on the surface appears to be a basic and boring run of the mill conference.And the camera work makes the viewer feel like a participant.The tone in the room is sedate and clinical.But when you actually listen and hear the men discuss the makings of what will become the "Final Solution",you will start to feel uncomfortable, disturbed and down right repugnant .The complete business like manner that these men portray in deciding the lives of millions of people is disturbing and horrifying. You see one person who is actually disturbed by what is being proposed,and you want him to stand up and scream , yet you feel his hesitation and fear of those he is amongst.You see another obviously having a crisis of his own conscious ..yet he goes along to appease his superiors and his peers.The movie is the EXACT length of the actual Wannsee Conference,and from what I have read, the only surviving transcript is what was used of the conference, which adds to the authenticity of the storytelling. I watched this entire film, completely astounded with my jaw on the floor.

There's no action, there's no guns, or explosions, no chase scenes. Just people with an "idea" and a discussion.The cold detachment of the players is absolutely disturbing.This film is a high achievement in giving you a simpleness to the beginning of something so astoundingly horrible.

This movie was so wonderfully cute.I found it very real. This film does not preach the "joys" of interracial dating, but gives the watcher the true nature of what dating and finding love should be. It shows how the constraints that family , those around us , society and even ourselves can keep one from from finding happiness.It tells the story of a woman who finally frees herself of those constraints to find true love and happiness. A very good lesson for love and life.

One of the best lessons that the protagonist Kenya learns , is that you may get the "Perfect" guy, (as in the Blair Underwood character), but that those ideals of perfection get lost when the feelings JUST AREN'T THERE.

This movie is a wonderful story of love, romance, and letting go of certain strong ideals, so one can find everything one ever wanted.

This movie is amazing in not only the performances turned in by Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick & Mos Def, but for the conflicting feelings that it incites in the viewer for a person that we would usually revile.And the conflicting questions this film imposes on you , such as when do we start to forgive? When are we redeemed from our past? Can you ever understand and love a person who could do something heinous..without truly wondering if it will happen again. This film is bold because it doesn't give you the cushy story of a "guy who did wrong, and he's trying to change so give him a break". No This film tugs at you in every direction. Just when you are trying to cut the Walter character some slack, cause you figure, "hey, he hasn't done anything, leave him alone".Then you find yourself asking, why should anyone have to wait for something to happen.We see how certain triggers Walters actions. We see how the anger, fear, and revulsion of those around him affect his life . How people rationalize their own behaviors. This has got to be one of the most emotionally conflicting movies I have seen. I mean really..who wants to sympathize with a child molester? But we have to also see that sometimes people who do horrible things can also be reviled by their own actions. Fascinating movie. I highly urge all to see.