Understated--Thank God!

Rating: 9/10 (29 December 2005)

No distracting schmaltzy symphonic/plaintive-piano score. No costumes that didn't look overly calculated to be historically accurate. No philosophical speeches. No overdone tears and tirades. No lessons on tolerance and acceptance. No prettied up pretty boys. And yet this movie has a guy-to-guy attraction?!!!! Can't be. Everything was understated and real--guys who've been married yet longing can appreciate the complex undercurrents. And it ended right--life seldom works out well or tidy. A watering eye, not a gusher of tears. Nice. Compare this to King Kong--technically Wow! Wizard! Golly! No, this was sheep and scenery and a little touching "down there." And didn't Jack take it like a man--just some spit and hold on to those blankets. But that was really hot without showing us the X-rated stuff (perhaps on the DVD extras, I hope?)