When the main protagonist steps into his car, riding away from his humdrum life and partner, Grindr at hand, ready to have it off with half the male population of France, I was on board too. I anticipated for there to be many casual encounters between him and other men. He drives from one renowned public cruising hot-spot to another, guided by comments left online or in magazines that indicate that a certain public restroom or parking place is teeming with potential homosexual liaisons after sunset. There are a few of these chance encounters in the film, but more than sexual frisson, the focus is on conversations and the non verbal dynamic between these men. One of the depictions of a spontaneous meet, is a very clever reference to Jean Genet's eponymous short film "Un Chant D'Amour." And I believe there are a great many other references to other French gay luminaries from the past throughout the film.
This road movie can be considered gay, but it is also largely focused on intersections with women - who function as commentators on male homosexuality - and the protagonist's vices and virtues. The story plods along extemporaneously, from one interaction with an eccentric stranger to another, exposing in each encounter, a particular idea about relationships, incongruities in people's personalities, some sage observations, or just plain awkward behaviour.
The main protagonist, (and his boyfriend following him hot on his heels), stumble upon one idiot savant after another, and these haphazard meetings are all contrived into one long poetic story, which, although it takes some patience, does come to a worthy rewarding cohesive conclusion.
This road movie can be considered gay, but it is also largely focused on intersections with women - who function as commentators on male homosexuality - and the protagonist's vices and virtues. The story plods along extemporaneously, from one interaction with an eccentric stranger to another, exposing in each encounter, a particular idea about relationships, incongruities in people's personalities, some sage observations, or just plain awkward behaviour.
The main protagonist, (and his boyfriend following him hot on his heels), stumble upon one idiot savant after another, and these haphazard meetings are all contrived into one long poetic story, which, although it takes some patience, does come to a worthy rewarding cohesive conclusion.