Bad Education, Brilliant Movie
I have once again realized just how easy it is to stay awake all night long. I went to bed some time after 4 AM (my standard being between midnight and two in the morning) and I wasn't even that sleepy to begin with. The sky was already turning a little lighter shade of blue, which I determinedly ignored and climbed into bed. It always takes me a while to fall asleep, though - and this time it was even more difficult because all those birds were already chirping outside! I was like, "Shut up, I'm trying to sleep in here! Ugh, it's too bloody early for this..." before I gave up and used the blanket to muffle the sound.
I have such an unnatural schedule. xD
Anyway, moving on to the main topic of this whole post. If you want to see an absolutely amazing movie, go watch Bad Education (La mala educación) directed by Pedro Almodóvar. (Just for the record, it falls into the category of homosexual-themed film, but you don't mind that, right? ^_~)
I'd wanted to see this movie for a long time, and I was not disappointed now. It's such a captivating story that gradually unfolds as an intricate mix of memories, fiction and reality, leaving you to draw your own conclusions on many occasions. I really like that it doesn't force you into any interpretation. It also has a wonderful atmosphere - real, intense, suspenseful, gloomy, amusing and sad in all the right places, plus countless other impressions I haven't pointed out. It's just so well done.
I could start by admitting this movie has finally managed to get past my notorious "not all gay men are effeminate, damn it!" policy. Probably because it was not about prejudice of any sort when the character in question was concerned - it was just the way he was, which in itself makes a huge difference. Not to mention that he ended up very very badly...
I'd be stupid to complain, anyway. That first sex scene (yes, I am numbering them xP) was totally gorgeous. I'd been on edge right from the moment they started "looking for the keys of the motorbike" and things only got more exciting from there on. I can't help but admire how those guys can make a blowjob hot without actually showing you anything, letting one of the participants drift off and having the activity interrupted. It should be illegal! (Which would only serve to make it all even sexier for me, so maybe that's not such a good idea.) But it didn't end there, mind you. I'd say more about the circumstances if that weren't giving away too much.
Another thing I enjoyed were the several recurrent themes in the story, for example the various newspaper articles. (Oh, the irony.) Especially one metaphor about some woman being eaten alive by crocodiles that was used to a very interesting effect in another of the more explicit scenes took me totally off guard!
What also took me off guard was the whole ordeal at the pool. It had an idyllic start that led to a rather depressing end - how's that for shocking? I almost thought they wouldn't even talk ever again...almost.
But the best part of all were the letters. Now that was heartbreaking.
Oh, I suppose I haven't mentioned the perverted priest yet, have I? Well, he was the one responsible for the sexual/psychological abuse one of the characters had suffered as a child. And he acted like the biggest bastard ever when he kicked the other one out of the school type thing the early years of the story were set in. But he wasn't your typical bad guy since he made one more appearance later, which at least gave him a true personality. It doesn't happen often that I catch myself sympathizing with someone I hated at first. Ah well, nothing is black and white.
I still can't decide who the protagonist was since all of the four main characters were important in their own right. And none of them was a hero. (Thankfully!) The psychology itself would be enough material for a dissertation.
I have yet to figure out why this movie got the NC-17 rating. It must have been because of the content in general, I guess. The sex was just R-rated by my humble standards. (Humble indeed, I see...) True, there is not only homosexuality among the topics, but also abuse, transgender stuff, death, drugs and blackmail, and some parts of the film really aren't pretty. Plus the whole Catholic church controversy to top it off. All in all, I think a lot of people are just afraid of such serious themes, hence the high rating and little to no promotion as far as I've noticed. Not that I would exactly mind it being even more graphic, but it's unfair...
Anyway, score one for the spit lube! Sorry, couldn't resist. ^_^;
Damn, I've done so much ranting and it still feels like I haven't said anything yet. In this case, I'll try a different way to sum things up instead, such as:
Pure. Fucking. Awesomeness.
Wow, I've entirely avoided mentioning any names. That must have made this less spoiler-like, I hope.
I wish I could remember some quotes word by word as well. Those would really be worth writing down!
There's only one bad thing about this movie - I've borrowed it from a friend and I'll have to give it back by Wednesday! Nooo~! Must...copy...the...DVD...