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Reviews
Giorni (2001)
Interesting but sad
I found this movie to be very interesting but also very sad. Claudio it seems is frustrated with the hum drum of every day life which is complicated by being HIV+. Claudio starts a relationship with Adrea who is young and carefree to the point of not caring if he gets infected with HIV. Claudio and Dario seem to have an open relationship as Dario seems more concerned that Claudio is having unprotected sex than being hurt himself, however they do break up in the end. Claudio and Andrea's relationship does not last either, because it seems that Claudio does develop some kind of conscience, and the relationship between Claudio and Andrea is basically a fling. A fling that Andrea pays with his life for, and that is just sad.
It would have been interesting to see how Andrea reacted when he found out he was HIV+ and if he was angry with himself or Claudio. It also would have been interesting to see more of the relationship between Claudio and Dario.
I think the characters in the movie were very real as this happens every day. Claudio having suffered with HIV should have known better than to infect someone (much less someone he loves), although Andrea also should have known better. There is nothing romantic about being careless with your life or someone elses.
Tout contre Léo (2002)
very moving
I saw this movie about a week ago and still keep thinking about it. I was very moved by this movie. I found the characters very believable and likable almost to a fault. As in real life though sometimes people disappoint, as was the case with Leo, who even though I liked his character I could not have been more disappointed when he was willing to have unprotected sex even though fully aware of his HIV status. I was also disappointed with Leo for rejecting the medicine available to him, and the awful way he treated Marcel when he decided to ship him back home on the train. I think this movie showed in a very real way why HIV numbers are up in young gay men. This is in no way meant to bash gays (I am gay) and movie very well could have been made about a young straight person who makes bad choices and seems unaware of the consequences to himself and others. The only part of the movie I couldn't understand was why the (gay friendly) family was unwilling to include Marcel in Leo's illness to the point of not allowing him to go to the funeral.
I think the biggest message from this movie is that whether gay or straight is DO NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX!
A Home at the End of the World (2004)
Very strange and sad
I found this movie very strange and sad. It seems that Bobby doesn't know if he is gay or bi and doesn't seem to care. Jonathan knows he is gay but seems more interested in tricks than exploring a relationship with Bobby. Clare seems so desperate for a man that she puts up with Bobby who doesn't seem to know what he wants. The movie is sold as these are all strong characters who are just unconventional, but they all seem unable to be honest with themselves and each other, for example, Johathan leaves NY without telling Bobby and Clare why. Bobby doesn't tell Clare that he is interested in Jonathan, Clare has to figure that out for herself. At the end when Clare does leave, Jonathan and Bobby are left to assume that she is not coming back. Part of being an adult is being honest even when it isn't easy, it is really the kindest thing to do, because it allows the other people involved to make informed decisions, but this movie doesn't send that message. If people like that really exist I am sad for them.
Food of Love (2002)
Whats love got to do with it?
I enjoyed the movie, but it seems to me it is mistitled. The only love in the movie was between Paul and his mother, who seemed to suffer from some emotional problems, but their love at least seemed genuine. Basically this is a story about a talented young cute kid who gets in over his head. Paul is used by Kennington, who is Paul's idol. Then Paul gets used by Kennington's manager/lover. Paul does have a relationship with another older man but we don't get to see much about that relationship, but again it seems he is being used as a boy toy. Being that Paul is very young I can only hope he learned from these bad experiences, and pursues his real dreams.
Ode to Billy Joe (1976)
loved it
I remember seeing 'Ode to Billy Joe' when I was about twelve, and just starting to deal with the fact that I was gay. Growing up in rural Wisconsin I could relate very well to the negative attitudes towards gays, and find it very believable that a young gay person in that situation would consider killing themself. I also find it very believable that a young gay person would date a person of the opposite sex, just think about how many gay people do get married. Even though Billy Joe is a tragic figure I found the movie to be comforting, I think I took comfort in the fact that at least someone was talking about homosexuality, being Catholic my family never spoke about sex much less homosexuality and I think that is the way it was in most families in the seventies. Over the years I have thought of that movie often and I think at times it helped me keep my sanity, I would love to see it again!