The plot of this drama is rather straightforward:. summer - holidays - men are hanging out on the beach in the nude, sometimes they have sex with each in the nearby woods.
One of the visitors to the beach is isolated. He doesn't participate in the cruising activities, is just sitting by himself. Franck, a guy who visits the beach for sex, talks to him and something like friendship is emerging between them. They talk or sit just in silence, looking at the lake.
One evening Michel leaves later. he observes that Michel, one of the regulars on the beach, is drowning his lover. The next day his things are still there - but the others seemingly don't care. They continue their usual activities.
Franck is fascinated by Michel. He starts an affair with him, but Michel is not interested in a relationship. He says that he has his own life.
An inspector calls trying his best to solve the case. Franck says that he saw nothing. Michel doesn't even mention that he was the lover of the deceased. Henri has the suspicion that Michel is dangerous and he warns Franck. While Franck is swimming, Henri approaches Michel and tells him that the inspector probably soon has enough evidence to arrest him. Then he tells Michel that he will go for a walk in the woods.
When Franck returns, the beach is empty. Franck finds Henri who has been stabbed. Franck tries to to his life, but Henri says that he got what he wanted. Franck flees from Michel. he sees that Michel also stabs the director.Franck is hiding, while Michel calls him. Then Franck calls Michel -- no answer.
The production of this film relies entirely on natural light, so the end is set almost in darkness. That's why the audience has to make their own ending. Of course, viewers who are spoiled by Hollywood like that everything is laid out neatly.
The persons in this drama are types without much of an individual life. Franck is only infatuation, devotion, but also seeking the thrill by playing with unknown risks. Michel is only an object of desire and represents the fascinating, Henri is representative for those who play secure - and don't have other perspectives than the grave ahead. The inspector may be the voice of reason - nobody listens to him.
Alain Guiraudie succeeds in creating an outdoor chamber play. Yes, this film is extremely graphic, but the actors are not exposed. In other words, the film is not suitable for voyeurs.
Ultimately it's a film about loneliness.
8/10
One of the visitors to the beach is isolated. He doesn't participate in the cruising activities, is just sitting by himself. Franck, a guy who visits the beach for sex, talks to him and something like friendship is emerging between them. They talk or sit just in silence, looking at the lake.
One evening Michel leaves later. he observes that Michel, one of the regulars on the beach, is drowning his lover. The next day his things are still there - but the others seemingly don't care. They continue their usual activities.
Franck is fascinated by Michel. He starts an affair with him, but Michel is not interested in a relationship. He says that he has his own life.
An inspector calls trying his best to solve the case. Franck says that he saw nothing. Michel doesn't even mention that he was the lover of the deceased. Henri has the suspicion that Michel is dangerous and he warns Franck. While Franck is swimming, Henri approaches Michel and tells him that the inspector probably soon has enough evidence to arrest him. Then he tells Michel that he will go for a walk in the woods.
When Franck returns, the beach is empty. Franck finds Henri who has been stabbed. Franck tries to to his life, but Henri says that he got what he wanted. Franck flees from Michel. he sees that Michel also stabs the director.Franck is hiding, while Michel calls him. Then Franck calls Michel -- no answer.
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| Strangers meet and nothing happens |
The persons in this drama are types without much of an individual life. Franck is only infatuation, devotion, but also seeking the thrill by playing with unknown risks. Michel is only an object of desire and represents the fascinating, Henri is representative for those who play secure - and don't have other perspectives than the grave ahead. The inspector may be the voice of reason - nobody listens to him.
Alain Guiraudie succeeds in creating an outdoor chamber play. Yes, this film is extremely graphic, but the actors are not exposed. In other words, the film is not suitable for voyeurs.
Ultimately it's a film about loneliness.
8/10
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| There were people who thought this was too explicit - what would they have said about the film itself? |
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