Finally, a gay film that openly displays passion and romance, with a strong storyline and without graphic sex. It is a love story, with many deceptive facets, and yet it is so true to life. It was with a great deal of relief that the love scenes were not done in darkness or dim light, like in "Brokeback Mountain" (such depictions give a false impression that gay sex is something to be ashamed of).
At the start of the film, Lee Williams (Ivo) gives the impression that he has no feeling whatsoever for Mark Warren (Tim)--but, as the film progresses, the viewer realizes that Ivo loves Tim very deeply. Ivo lacks self-confidence, and is jealous of anyone who show any kind of affection for Tim. In what appears to be an accident, Tim leaves Ivo for dead, and Ivo realizes that Tim has no love for him. The film gives the impression that Tim is a selfish bastard--but, in fact, Tim is insulating himself from being molested as a child.
After being molested, or after a one-night stand, many people say 'I love you' to the person they are having sex with. Sadly, life does sometimes leave you with harsh realities, and shattered dreams. And, you find that your partner only wants lust or sex, but is not willing to make a commitment. When people treat gay relationships as if they are less than legitimate and totally worthless, it becomes very easy for a partner to treat you as a valueless sex object, without making any kind of commitment whatsoever. That is why I am glad that more and more people, today, are seeing the value of gay marriage. Such a bond encourages commitment and 'stick-togetherness'. Gay marriage offers legitimacy, as well as legal/religious/spiritual recognition and sanctioning of a gay relationship.
The cast-members supply superb acting, the film is well edited, the direction is exceptional (the director offers his own unique brand of Alfred-Hitchcock-style direction), the lighting and photography is excellent, and the writer provides a script with a clear, focused, and strong storyline. And, the film remains faithful to the book.
Agreeing with another user's comments, I quote from three paragraphs: "The pacing of the film moves along, until we get to the character Isabel, then it seems to drag. The the love Tim professes for her doesn't seem as heated as what he had for Ivo. I don't think the actress cast for Isabel was the right person, because she and Williams had no chemistry. All of their scenes felt contrived. But then again, maybe that is the point, she is a way out from Ivo for Tim. His passion for her isn't real. The tempo picks up and keeps going once we get to the "murder" of Ivo. The twist where we find out Isabel is Ivo's sister (is) interesting. Ivo and Isabel's scene in the bedroom was creepy--but she, too, (is) unable to resist Tim's charms, even though she knows who he is from the beginning and what he meant to Ivo. Maybe this (is) her form of rebellion against Ivo and her husband. Otherwise, her character is shut down and devoid of the ability to change her nature. She is...damaged goods, just like Tim, Ivo, and her husband. They all suffer from weaknesses they are aware of, but choose to swim in them anyway, instead of making internal changes."
"I think this film is fantastically erotic, and well acted. Lee Williams and Marc Warren do an excellent job of making you care about their characters, despite their flaws. This film is (quite) a journey into the the various stages of love. Quoting from an old saying, there is a 'thin line between love and hate'--(and, in the film, 'hate' does become) an examination of the duplicity of love." Yes, these quoted comments are so true to real life.
"Through flashback scenes, the audience finds out Tim was molested as a child. When someone tells him they love him (as his molester did) he shuts down. Tim is aware of this fact, but does nothing or maybe can't do anything to change this sadness within himself. Ivo walks around the university and seems shut down also, which could explain their attraction, beyond the physical. However, the audience comes to find out that Ivo, despite being the elder, is the vulnerable one in the relationship, though you fear for Tim at the beginning. Ivo realizes Tim doesn't love him, yet hangs on anyway, just as many people do in real life." I couldn't agree more with these quoted comments.
I am thankful for the film's honesty, truth, and integrity in showing people with their true-to-life complexities. The film reinforces a familiar cliché: "Oh, what a wicked web we weave, when we practice to deceive." Without further explanation, I shall reveal no more because I do not want to reveal the film's specific content, and spoil the dynamic twists of this exceptional and well-made film. This film is riveting, and will hold the viewer spellbound from the movie's start to finish. This film is highly recommended, and I rate it a 10 out of 10. This is the kind of film that you will want to see more than once. By all means, buy it for your personal collection. Bravo!
At the start of the film, Lee Williams (Ivo) gives the impression that he has no feeling whatsoever for Mark Warren (Tim)--but, as the film progresses, the viewer realizes that Ivo loves Tim very deeply. Ivo lacks self-confidence, and is jealous of anyone who show any kind of affection for Tim. In what appears to be an accident, Tim leaves Ivo for dead, and Ivo realizes that Tim has no love for him. The film gives the impression that Tim is a selfish bastard--but, in fact, Tim is insulating himself from being molested as a child.
After being molested, or after a one-night stand, many people say 'I love you' to the person they are having sex with. Sadly, life does sometimes leave you with harsh realities, and shattered dreams. And, you find that your partner only wants lust or sex, but is not willing to make a commitment. When people treat gay relationships as if they are less than legitimate and totally worthless, it becomes very easy for a partner to treat you as a valueless sex object, without making any kind of commitment whatsoever. That is why I am glad that more and more people, today, are seeing the value of gay marriage. Such a bond encourages commitment and 'stick-togetherness'. Gay marriage offers legitimacy, as well as legal/religious/spiritual recognition and sanctioning of a gay relationship.
The cast-members supply superb acting, the film is well edited, the direction is exceptional (the director offers his own unique brand of Alfred-Hitchcock-style direction), the lighting and photography is excellent, and the writer provides a script with a clear, focused, and strong storyline. And, the film remains faithful to the book.
Agreeing with another user's comments, I quote from three paragraphs: "The pacing of the film moves along, until we get to the character Isabel, then it seems to drag. The the love Tim professes for her doesn't seem as heated as what he had for Ivo. I don't think the actress cast for Isabel was the right person, because she and Williams had no chemistry. All of their scenes felt contrived. But then again, maybe that is the point, she is a way out from Ivo for Tim. His passion for her isn't real. The tempo picks up and keeps going once we get to the "murder" of Ivo. The twist where we find out Isabel is Ivo's sister (is) interesting. Ivo and Isabel's scene in the bedroom was creepy--but she, too, (is) unable to resist Tim's charms, even though she knows who he is from the beginning and what he meant to Ivo. Maybe this (is) her form of rebellion against Ivo and her husband. Otherwise, her character is shut down and devoid of the ability to change her nature. She is...damaged goods, just like Tim, Ivo, and her husband. They all suffer from weaknesses they are aware of, but choose to swim in them anyway, instead of making internal changes."
"I think this film is fantastically erotic, and well acted. Lee Williams and Marc Warren do an excellent job of making you care about their characters, despite their flaws. This film is (quite) a journey into the the various stages of love. Quoting from an old saying, there is a 'thin line between love and hate'--(and, in the film, 'hate' does become) an examination of the duplicity of love." Yes, these quoted comments are so true to real life.
"Through flashback scenes, the audience finds out Tim was molested as a child. When someone tells him they love him (as his molester did) he shuts down. Tim is aware of this fact, but does nothing or maybe can't do anything to change this sadness within himself. Ivo walks around the university and seems shut down also, which could explain their attraction, beyond the physical. However, the audience comes to find out that Ivo, despite being the elder, is the vulnerable one in the relationship, though you fear for Tim at the beginning. Ivo realizes Tim doesn't love him, yet hangs on anyway, just as many people do in real life." I couldn't agree more with these quoted comments.
I am thankful for the film's honesty, truth, and integrity in showing people with their true-to-life complexities. The film reinforces a familiar cliché: "Oh, what a wicked web we weave, when we practice to deceive." Without further explanation, I shall reveal no more because I do not want to reveal the film's specific content, and spoil the dynamic twists of this exceptional and well-made film. This film is riveting, and will hold the viewer spellbound from the movie's start to finish. This film is highly recommended, and I rate it a 10 out of 10. This is the kind of film that you will want to see more than once. By all means, buy it for your personal collection. Bravo!