richardgoldwater

There is a missing piece of continuity, which the director's commentary ignores by claiming that the last third of the film is fantasy. It would be a spoiler to say what it is, but I found the transition dishonest. Worse, one learns from the commentary that every young male auditioning for the lead part had to do the solo masturbatory shower scene; hundreds did so until finding Ricardo, who was perfect. I am sure there was much enjoyment for the director to watch the auditions, but the horror comes at the sexual exploitation of Ricardo, made clear in the commentary. The director declined to use the actor again, because his body was "used up", leaving Ricardo to move back to live and farm with his mother. The director treats Ricardo as his character Sergio treats his sexual objects, controlling, and then abandoning them. I grieve for Ricardo.

A wonderfully plotted and acted "true-life" love story. This is not politically correct, gay propaganda. This movie is intelligent and literate and sincere in a way that US movies rarely are. Alas, the title is misleading; there are no post-rugby shower scenes. Plus, the video quality is poor. But, worth watching and feeling and thinking about. The younger of the male lovers is briefly almost naked; neither is ever nude. The elder's wife is sympathetic, not jealous. What is authentic and naked about both men are their emotions. This is a brilliant, beautiful story about the attraction of a married middle-aged man for some one 30 years younger. It is the younger who is the "aggressor", and the older guy who musty deal with his ambivalence. It is the sincerity of the younger guy that is inn question. I am Doctor Whom.