MovieChat Forums > Summer Lovers (1982) Discussion > Should Lina Have Been A Man?

Should Lina Have Been A Man?

posted 15 years ago by Boricuaex
10 replies | jump to latest

I have always loved this movie for what it is, a fresh, springlike story about a triad developing over the course of a summer in Greece. But every time I've seen this movie since I was 14 years old, I have always felt that Lina should have been a man. Her demeanor, depth of knowledge and width of experience suggests that the character had a masculine streak, but for some reason it did not manifestly appear as a gender.

I don't necessarily think the movie would have been better had Lina been a man, but there would definitely have been an added dimension to the story.

[–] Scientia_thoth 14 years ago

While that would have made it a little more interesting to some people. I don't think most people attribute knowledge and experience to masculinity. Those two things seem pretty gender neutral to me.

[–] ruandyt 14 years ago

Actually that could work but I'm curious what way you'd want to take the story.Would it be 2 guys sharing Cathy or would the guys have at it as well? Very highly unlikely that the film would have been made in 1982 if it was a bi sexual relationship.Heck here in 2010 you'd have a hard time getting studio backing for such a film. There's still a stigma attached to 2 guys in a relationship but not nearly as much as a lesbian relationship.Look at today where the film The Kids are Alright has had some success. It's about a lesbian couple and has two A list actresses playing the couple.Brokeback Mountain opened some doors but not to the state that a film with a male/female/male love triangle could make a crossover hit.For the record I thought Lina(Valerie Quennessen) was as sexy as all hell and the most interesting of the 3 characters.

[–] markhagner-1 14 years ago

Would it have worked in 82 I don't know but I think the the demographics would show we rather watch two girls and one guy. I know I would.

[–] StanleyBrewer 13 years ago

"Paint Your Wagon" worked well with two guys and one woman. And yes, Valérie Quennessen was very sexy, as much so in "French Postcards" as in this movie. Her passing was MUCH too soon.

[–] jessica-972-875481 13 years ago

Don't forget Doom Generation! Two guys and one girl!

[–] blankk23 11 years ago

And Savages

[–] Catdubh 13 years ago

I was thinking the same thing. I wanted Lina, and did not want to share. Oh, and I am a girl.

Jack's not dead! Jack would never die without telling me, first!

[–] activista 9 years ago

@Boricusex

I have always felt that Lina should have been a man. Her demeanor, depth of knowledge and width of experience suggests that the character had a masculine streak, but for some reason it did not manifestly appear as a gender.

What kind of ridiculous statement is that? I've never seen this entire film,only a scene from it once, but a woman dosen't have to have a so-called "masculine streak" to be the way you described. Having those particular things are not in anyway exclusive to just males, and that's already a known fact.

[–] firstwinsgop-1 9 years ago

Lina has a more masculine personality yes, but that is precisely why she is so aggressive and sexually adventurous. If she were an actual man, the story wouldn't happen because she'd be no different than any of the other hyper aggressive Greek men on the island.

[–] Falconeer 7 years ago

The film caters to men; it is the ultimate male fantasy to have two women. The average American guy would be too homophobic to share a bed with another guy. It wouldn't have been believable, and it would have alienated the very audience that this movie was directed at; men. "Summer Lovers" is an EARLY 80's film, made when a lot of the 1970's attitudes were still in play. An endless stream of these Euro/erotic movies were being produced, and they are, by today's standards, very sexist. "Summer Lovers" is a good film, but it is also quite sexist in the way that we are to believe that a girl would share her longtime boyfriend with some sexy, modern day Greek goddess. This movie is aimed at the same audience that the "Emmanuelle" movies were made for; men. This is TOTAL Playboy philosophy, circa 1980...but it is nice to see that "Summer Lovers" is also liked by female viewers, because it IS very sexy.

Fabio Testi is GOD