Compassionate Sex (2000)

This is a highly unique film, one I would consider more "expressionist" than surreal in style. The acting is wonderful, the art direction good, and the message elusively simple. The heroine - incredible as it sounds - makes sex with essentially every man in town: not once, but regularly. As a result, she attracts a congregation far larger than that of the local church, which is a story in itself. But what draws the men to bed with this plump, good-natured middle-aged woman who suffers an "excess of goodness"? Her compassion, her understanding, her charitable advice - all of it free.

In brief, while churchly figures may strive to avoid sin and devote their spirits to meditation and repentance, such self-centered acts do little to guide or succor or console their fellow man. This woman discovers - and wow!, with such a human and comic touch - that more can actually be achieved if we only sin a little.

It's difficult to say more without disclosing the whole plot - though actually, even if one knew the story in advance in full detail, the timing and expressive acting still would make it fun.

I'll add for clarity that this film contains no nudity and no foul language that I can recall (unless a reader would consider, e.g., "gilipollas" foul), and that it is "adult" most of all in the sense that only relatively thoughtful, intelligent people are likely to understand it - be they children or senior citizens.

Okay - one little gripe. I didn't really appreciate the humorous intrusion of the talk-show host for Univision's "Hasta en las Mejores Familias" or whatever the program's called. She appears as the enraged madam of the local brothel. I'm sorry. Really, I am. But if it'd been anyone from Despierta America, like the charming news person from Honduras, or Giselle or even their dog, I'd been happier. But not Mejores Familias! She was excessive.