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A+ film

posted 18 years ago by hanspatrick
7 replies | jump to latest

Although this film has been given mixed reviews and has stirred up taboo topics; it unveils some core issues that are otherwise only briefly displayed in films. It takes the audience beyond the euphuism used in past film to portray controversial topics of race, class, incest, politics, and the double standards that lies in between. The creative genius of this film appears in form of the conception of dispelling taboo subject and discussing them at great lengthily detail in a blunt manner while still being coy, discrete, and suggestive throughout. At one moment the audience is captured in the amorous innocent of the charters of the island, and then,the next the audience is taken aback by the cruel inequalities of race, class, and the torment becoming the women becoming misandrious after having to rely on the mercy of gigolos for a fantasy of love.

The film also takes away from the conventional methods of given a European view of telling a story but had a good grasp of telling the story by engaging both Haitian and European conception of telling a story. The best example of this is when the director used the native creole in conjunction to the French that was used in the film. Being of a Haitian decent I understood where the French ended and where the creole continued giving credence to the philosophy of telling the story incorporated manner. The viewer is not led by given a chance to explore the prospective of the women and their Haitian native suitors as they embark on a journey that will challenge their convictions in search for solace in a world where they are confronted with question of how to survive in a cruel world of money, love, and life.

I would suggest if you’re the kind of person that like movies that speaks to your heart, challenge your conceptions and brings your to a higher truth then this film is for your. However if you’re the kind of person that needs a clear answer to life and rather have a philosophy given to you then this film is not for you.

I would give this film an A+

[–] cornelia123 18 years ago

I agree this movie was A+. I don't particularly think the subject is taboo, I mean this has been going on for donkey years in the Carribean, it's called Sex Tourism. I know a lot of women who go to Cuba and places like that and actually end up being caught up in this imaginary 'romance' and end up bringing these men home, only to be dumped a few years later once their papers have been sorted out.

Anyway, I found the movie very intersting, great acting particularly Menothy Cesar and Charlotte Rampling and also very thought provoking (about colonialism and it's after effects, loneliness, the nature of love, the refusal of growing old without love, even if it is 'imaginary' love etc, exploitation etc).

[–] hanspatrick 18 years ago

Cornelia,

Do you think that's what the film "How Stella got her gove back came from. "Sex Tourism". Is there a difference for men who enjoy young ladies or girl's?

[–] cornelia123 18 years ago

There is no difference, in my opinion, although Society seems to think it's okay for men, but not okay for women. It's okay for Michael Douglas to be married to someone 30 years his junior, but it's not okay for Demi Moore to be married to someone 15 years her junior (yes, people make fun of them).

Anyway, I think the movie tries to show how hypocritical society is, everyone in society at all different levels (racism, sexism, etc).

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] king_faraday 15 years ago

There is no difference, in my opinion, although Society seems to think it's okay for men, but not okay for women. It's okay for Michael Douglas to be married to someone 30 years his junior, but it's not okay for Demi Moore to be married to someone 15 years her junior (yes, people make fun of them).

Actually I think Michael Douglas and Demi Moore look dumb as hell married to someone young enough to be their child.

[–] lamont-hard 13 years ago

I too felt this was a great film, there are many movies regarding women and men seeking sex, but when It comes to seeking sex or just to people where there is suppose to be cultural differences this combination is very much ignored. Don't understand why it is in television but not in films. Why is Hollywood so afraid to show it. Of course the great Charlotte Rampling will not back down from anything different involving a film with taboo sexual content. And I give her high praise for giving us something different.

[–] sigmundfreud79 11 years ago

*Spoilers Ahead*

I just watched this for the first time last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. It told an interesting story about a topic I've never seen explored so honestly on film - sex tourism. All the performances were great (especially the always fantastic Charlotte Rampling), and for the most part I felt the writing hit all the right notes at just the right moments. The story unfolded naturally and hit on some heavy themes, but never lingered on one topic for too long. It steadily kept moving, slowly revealing the realities of the characters and story. The ending where we hear Brenda talking about all the other islands she plans to explore, in effect saying she plans to continue sex touring, is chilling. Considering her attachment to Legba, it's heartbreaking that she ultimately learned nothing from his death. It's ironic that controlling, overbearing Ellen is the one who sees the err of her ways after Legba's death and, it's implied, is now finished with sex touring. This was definitely a great movie that has stuck with me. I wish I would've watched it sooner.