Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
Literally, there are tons of short film out there dealing with the always challenging issue on putting homosexuality on the screen. These 15 minutes here should be a must-see for everybody who plans to go into that genre. There are literally so many crap films out there and people still appreciate them, even if they have zero artistic value, only because they are about that subject.The first scene was already a winner (and that comes from a heterosexual male). The use of Bang Bang there and on other occasions in this film was a brilliant idea. First of all, there is some excellent irony to these two words in the context of this short film, but there is also some outstanding sensuality in Sheila's version. And last, but not least, it's simply an amazing song. Now we have a bisexual male who spends the holidays with his (boy)friend, but he quickly gets annoyed by him acting so gay all the time. So he ends up in a romantic adventure with a young woman. But there is no drama, no tragedy, just happiness for everybody. The boys reunite quickly, the girl gets together with another guy when she leaves the island. There is so harmony and love in here, this is really a wonderful piece of filmmaking. Ozon was in his late 20s when he made this and you could absolutely see the talent he put on show in the last decades. By the way, even if he was still that young that was far from his first effort as a director and writer. A bit of a pity that only the female actress in here from the leading trio pursued a career in acting. Yet, even if they took other paths, they left us a film which is great and small at the same time. Highly recommended.
Ed
Yet another film that tries to be edgy but only reinforces the whole "heterosexuality is more normal and desirable than being gay." I love the films that are "gay-themed" but seem to always have to include scenes of gay guys having sex with women. This seems to be a European thing, the whole "we are so much more liberated." Feh.The main character is not a particularly likable kid, his annoyance at the beginning with his friend's singing and dancing seems extremely out of proportion. Most guys would be very, very happy to have a man as gorgeous as Sebastien Charles dancing in front of them. But of course this is only so we can get him to go to the beach and have his little fling. The gay side of the film is stereotyped with shallowness and unhappiness. The straight fling results in a sappy score and Summer of '42 like musings. (And to those who find this film "romantic" ... what's so romantic about running off and having sex with somebody you've just met? Does their being straight make it that much more romantic?)This is not a great short. It's backwards and somewhere along the self-loathing of Tennessee Williams. Throw it on the trash heap.
glabrezu
I'm just starting to explore the so far wonderful world of monsieur Ozon. I've seen only 4 films so far, and with the last one in the row it hit me that all of them were in fact about lonely women and their actions. Not a single non-lonely female character out of 12, and all of them bring heavy impact of surroundings.This film is probably the only one (out of four) where this impact is for good.The gay theme is an almost standard part of background for Ozon's films, so it doesn't grab the accent (although the looks of the characters might). Watch for the feelings, not for their objects.Very nice and fleeting, truly like a summer romance, and while being a relaxation to thought and mind, it gives some food for the soul.
kuzmand
i expected it to be good, after i'd seen some other ozon's superb moments, and read much about it... but this movie is brilliant - clever, very bright (emotionally and visionally), perfect in all moments. every movement is there for a reason, everything fits so closely and primordially true and honest. this is the movie about the beauty and innocence; about it's simplicity.
AD
