Strani attacchi di passione

"Strange Fits of Passion" is a little-seen Australian movie from the late '90s. It has handling typical of a low-budget, indie movie, ie. Being shot entirely on location, having an obtrusive musical score, obscure narrative. Sometimes these things can be good, because they remind you that the mainstream/Hollywood way of making movies isn't the only way. This is one of those times.

The narrative is so obscure I didn't even realise the movie was about the protagonist, an androgynous woman, trying to lose her virginity. I knew it was about her sexual confusion and pursuit of different sexual relationships, but I didn't realise she'd never done it before.

The movie stars Samuel Johnson, an Australian actor who was all the rage for a short time because of the show he went on to star in, called "Secret Life of Us". He's believable here as a sexually confused poet.

The main character (who is unnamed in the movie) and her relationship travails are contrasted with those of her best friend, a gay guy. There's a twist with him toward the end of the movie which took me by surprise and isn't as impactful as you feel it should be. The movie is so in the main character's head that the others barely register.

I'm also not sure if the main character is really likeable. She's pretty mean at times.

I still liked the movie.