I use the word good in the sense that it does not glorify violence, and has no mean intentions. Like a fellow reviewer here I am sickened by the obsession of men fighting men; fighting and killing and when they are not killing they are murdering women. This obsession so frequent in both British television series and in American films and series is bad. Making love and even some casual sex as shown in this film is far healthier but will the mindset of showing violence over sexuality ever change ? I have my doubts and good it seems has a difficult time in succeeding over the avalanche of bad and brutal scenarios. I have no idea if Christophe Honore ( who I admire very much as a director despite certain failures that in my opinion he has made, and I may have been critical of a few here ) shares my viewpoint, but it was pleasing to hear in an interview with Francois Sagat that Pasolini's misguided ' Salo ' was difficult to watch. This interview can be seen on the French DVD of the film. I like the study here of that void when a lover may have left you and you long so much for his return that you paint his portrait on your living room wall. Sagat does precisely that and it is the most moving scene in the film that kiss. As for the filming itself it is a little rough and self conscious at times, but that does not matter as a smile on Chiara Mastroianni's face illuminates the screen. Why is she in this film ? Why not ? She is clearly a favourite actor for Honore, and despite the fact that most of the sexual scenes between men she seems quite at home with this. Her political remarks in an American cab are spot on and I mentally applauded her for them. And despite the free wheeling style I loved the beginning and the end where a critical emotional situation comes full circle. A unique film and it is a pity I have waited so long to see it. It is relevant in 2022 and I hope the good nature of it will still reach people with its intrinsic goodness.
Review of Man at Bath
