Well, tbh, I would welcome a Peter Cook commentary. This was in most aspects, poor, dull, aimless and frankly not in the least bit erotic.
The photography was dark, at times out of focus, and frequently centered on 'the wrong bits', ie poorly framed. Net result - couldn't really see that much of anything (and I'm not talking about the nudity).
'Plot' wise, its hard to find anything really to say. A very slight piece.
As for it being a erotic classic, hmm... Well, I'm not gay, so you could say I'm not off to a good start there, but I can recognize eroticism and appreciate (if not get off on) homo-erotic art. But what is in fact not much more than a couple of guys jacking off in a dark room does not amount to eroticism. The nature of their relationship is not convincing, even the scenes in the woods is just flat. I had no sense of connection with either of them, nor their relationship, and I don't think they did either really.
None of the above individually is enough to pan a film on, but in combination, it doesn't leave much else to say.
I was quite disappointed, as you can probably tell. ;^) Just my opinion obviously, but I don't get why its so well regarded
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TheHungryAndAngryShow
9 years ago
I too would welcome a Peter Cook commentary, there are few people that were as funny as he was at the time. That being said, I do feel that this was an interesting piece and worth watching.
I do not generally like to argue opinion, I feel either you like something or you don't, and people are entitled to their own feelings and opinions. I could talk about how much I enjoyed something until the cows come home, but in the end (no gay sex pun intended) if you didn't enjoy it then you didn't enjoy it.
Overall I liked the film, didn't love it, but in the context of year of release and the portrayal of gay relationships at the time, I felt it was an enjoyable and interesting film to watch. Should everyone run out and see it? No, this is a very specific kind of film, and would only appeal to a very select crowd, as this is not and never was intended to be a mass appeal type of film.
I gave it a 7 out of 10, so I don't want to pretend I am raving about it in any way. I just thought it was interesting and enjoyable enough.
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svenrufus
9 years ago
Absolutely - individual's opinions are primary in these things. Arguing opinion/taste is fruitless, but I do enjoy trying to get a handle on what it is about something that people enjoy. It's interesting how often I find people saying they liked or disliked something for an aspect of it against which I have a directly opposite reaction. That's fine.
I think your point about the context of the time is important - what today can seem quite banal would have been truly extraordinary back then, not least the openness about homosexuality. I did try to keep all that in mind while watching, but it wasn't enough for me.
Glad you enjoyed it though, and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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TheHungryAndAngryShow
9 years ago
I also enjoying hearing what others enjoy, or don't enjoy for that matter, it's pretty amazing how different tastes can be, and how little things can influence why we like something. Obviously when you feel strongly about something and someone else hates it you sorta have that feeling that they must be very different from you, or have no taste, though that is not always the case.
Many people can't think about things in the context of time, especially when younger, you don't have a proper timeline in your head. Plus unless you lived during the era, your thoughts of that period may not even be correct.
This may be a first on imdb, two people discussing what they liked/didn't like about a film without insulting each other!
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