MovieChat Forums > Tendres cousines (1980) Discussion > good excuse for a riotous satire

good excuse for a riotous satire


im starting to love this movie. it"s a very honest fantasy, not afraid to be corny, straight up and sweet, unashamedly so and poetic, till reality hits.
the post sync and full on photography teased me into the typical soft porn expectation for the lethal mix of lame story and gratuitious yet frustrating sex. but everything "in between", everything not sexual, is a riot.
it's the usual "upstairs downstairs" set up, like renoir's "rules of the game", or altman's "gosford park", but with hormones raging. it shows freshness and sweet romanticism, where all issues of desire are explored, it would do a great play. everyone wants to *beep* but they(re caught up by the beginning of WWII. the scene where the household reads the letters from the men at war is hilarious.

there are the usual porn situations, but david hamilton's interpretation is a good play on them, with witty dialogue from the house help. each character is very different, they may all be horny as hell, but each has a different and personal agenda. it watches like a visconti holiday with a pasolini family and fellini friends.
it's corny and beautiful like a balthus painting.


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Big words, college boy.

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I call reviews like his "intellectual masturbation". It's all about him, not that which he is reviewing. Too bad he had to come here and spew, huh.

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I call reviews like his "intellectual masturbation". It's all about him, not that which he is reviewing. Too bad he had to come here and spew, huh.


Yeah, imagine using an internet forum to write something that may or may not be of interest to others!.

Lighten up guys

You're an errand boy, sent by grocery clerks, to collect a bill

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I think the comparison to a Balthus painting is very apt, it's a beautiful comparison and shows an appreciation of the movie that goes beyond pure outward appearances and the obvious nudity that seems to be the main consideration and ire from Anglo-Saxon commentators.

Whenever I see one of his movies, however bad they may ultimately be in terms of story or script, I see someone who is in love with beauty and wants to show it to others. Now the world is a collectively cynical place and full of people with uncharitable thoughts, ready to think the worst of people. What a shame how things have evolved.

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Those are very sober remarks, agracier. Thumbs ups! I want to echo your 'what a shame' sentiment whenever I see human potential getting dragged down into the gutter - not only in the sphere of arts & entertainment, but in the world beyond.

Please click on 'reply' at the post you're responding to. Thanks.

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Amen...just..AMEN. So well put. Thank you for those comments; they give me hope.






Fabio Testi is GOD

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I think the comparison to a Balthus painting is very apt, it's a beautiful comparison and shows an appreciation of the movie that goes beyond pure outward appearances and the obvious nudity that seems to be the main consideration and ire from Anglo-Saxon commentators.

Whenever I see one of his movies, however bad they may ultimately be in terms of story or script, I see someone who is in love with beauty and wants to show it to others. Now the world is a collectively cynical place and full of people with uncharitable thoughts, ready to think the worst of people. What a shame how things have evolved.

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