This one's a beautiful, tender, quiet romantic drama with a moody atmosphere, set in a tight knit Welsh fishing community. It's a touching story about a man waking up sexually in the middle of his life, and how he, his family, and everyone around him deal with it, which makes it emotional and sentimental without ever getting over the top. The slow burn plays out against a landscape that's as bleak as it is gorgeous, where quiet, closed off men are stuck inside rigid ideas of what masculinity should be. Some people might be reminded of "God's Own Country," but I think both films are lovely in their own way. Jack is a middle aged guy who co-owns a mussel farm with his rough around the edges brother Dyfan, and the tension between the two of them is simmering under the surface right from the start. Dyfan's three sons all help out with the work, while Jack's sulky teenage son Tom keeps skipping out. Jack's been with his wife since they were both 16, and...
Jean-Pierre is a college professor who is in a relationship with Armando, a cuban masseur; but due to his status and his work with charity organization, he is not out to his friends and work, but still most people know about him. One day suddenly by luck of draw the court appoints him as guardian for an underage troubled kid Antione. He is. very upset and wants to contest the application. Also it turns out that he was once married to a woman, who he has not divorced. He asks her to come back to his life, much to the jealousy of Armando, because JP thinks that once social worker sees them as a broken couple, they will take the kid off their back. Few funny incidents follow and Antione realizes that as guardian, JP actually cares for him. Even Jean Pierre realizes that its not worth hiding himself in the closet anymore since he truly loves Armando and wants to be with him as a family. His "marriage of convenience" wife finally reconciles with her boyfriend and also get back together.
This film is a nice feel good and delightful film to watch. At no point you feel like its stupid or things are being forced. It feels natural, yet funny. Even the maid was quite funny. The dialogues are sharp and funny and really keep you hooked. I wish there was more to do with how Antione's arrival changes the life of the gay couple, but the full attention is on JP as an individual. Its a bit unfair to have boy's face plastered all over dvd, when he is just a side character at the best. The scenes with JP's ex -wife are funny too. As a gay couple, you feel the real love and connection between JP and Armando. It feels sincere and they have a great chemistry. Armando shows his jealousy and love and his sweet romantic gestures really well. These days I am all about feel good simple films and I will not be saying no to watching some. The script is absolutely wonderful and its the great acting and timing of the characters that holds this film together. (7/10)
Comments
Also the end when Jean Pierre wants to adopt Antoine left me wondering if it was possible for gay couple to adopt back then (it wasn't in france and I don't think it was in Switzerland but I'm not sure). They played the married straight couple when they didn't want the kid (when it would have been easier to play the gay card), then anounce they are a gay couple when they want to adopt... They are doing it the wrong way lol!
btw: hopefully all is well with you. I had not heard form anyone in a while and was starting to winder of my website redesign is taking my faithful friends away from me :)
I also wish I had more hours in a day. Your life is going to change so much soon but all for so much better and good.
If you have a magic receipe to increase the number of hours in a day, please sign me in lol. Thanks to you though, I don't waste time on useless movies anymore :-)
Do let me know if you are in New York area sometime
Same thing if you come in south east France :)