Everett

I will admit that this is a flawed film, and I know that it was considered a disaster when it came out, so I initially watched it just to see the beautiful settings, but I was surprisingly entranced by the growing undercurrent of love and hope beneath the two main character’s apparent selfish and indulgent behavior. I was perplexed because they don’t reveal the cause of Vanessa’s anger & anguish until almost the end, which is the film’s main flaw. Spoiler alert: After the failure of two early pregnancies, Vanessa becomes infertile and her inability to bear children puts her into a spiral of depression, self-hatred and anger. But this film is not about despair and sadness, it’s about the harsh reality of mental illness and a person’s ability to rise above it with the help of a loving partner. It’s set in a stunning & peaceful oceanic location on the Island of Gozo in Malta that becomes ultimately a place of reconciliation, transformation and healing. It’s a thought provoking film for those with the eyes to see more deeply.

Beautifully shot, great cinematography, luscious, nuanced, artistic, a feast for the eyes. Erotic. The acting is subtle, the men are gorgeous. There are no cliches and predictable plot twists. I love this film, it deserves a wide audience. Artistically it reminds me of Call Me By Your Name - only richer, more splendid, exotic and sensual.