Erik and Philip **Spoilers**

First off, I'm really excited this movie is available on Hulu Plus right now. I just got done watching it for the fourth time. I have to disagree with many of the haters of this film. The one surprising thing that hasn't been brought up in any of the forum posts is the intense relationship between Erik and Philip.

Throughout the movie, we never really see Erik's girlfriend until the end. He hides her. He ditches her. He's absolutely not in love with her. He struggles to find closeness with just about anyone he meets except for Philip. And, the same can be said for Philip only for much different reasons. I think their closeness actually causes the tension between them. While Erik tries to look after Philip and even tenderly grabs his shoulder, there is a division between the two that isn't spoken. Erik is obviously shaken about Philip's well being, and he is pushed out the door. Philip is seen crying after the fact.

Another great scene is where Erik is no longer together with Lillian, and he's reading through Philip's new manuscript. He describes that water is used as a metaphor as emotional distance which then is juxtaposed by eroticism in Philip's writing. There are two scenes in which he, Erik, and his friends go to the lake. The two are always the main focus dealing with something emotional that exemplifies their bond. Then, Philip says to Erik that he never says what he means. Honesty being the overtones of their disagreement. The new manuscript was probably written about their relationship.

The relationship that they share is truly a unique one. Many people struggle to find someone to be that close within their lifetimes. I'm not alluding that they are both gay, but I definitely think that Erik sees Philip as much more than a friend. The only way for Erik to move on was to pack up his things and separate himself from the situation, because he knew that Philip was truly in love with Kari.

Distance. Honesty. Love.