One does not watch Marco Berger films for the plot, but for the scenery: specifically, firm-bodied young men shedding their clothes. That happens several times here, to good effect!
But there *is* actually a plot - or at least, more plot than in Berger's previous, more aimless, films. As in 'Taekwondo' (2016), the setting is a luxurious house in which a group of scantily-clad sportsmen (this time hockey players) gather for the holiday season. Unbenownst to their macho, aggressively straight friends, two of those gathered are occasional bed partners. What will happen if that secret is revealed?
Weaknesses familiar from Berger's previous films are present here: several scenes start with characters statically staring aimlessly into space before one suddenly speaks; and large portions of conversations are carried out with the camera focussed on one participant only. In addition, with upwards of ten featured characters, I found it difficult to keep track of who was who. And the macho crap was, I feel, carried too far: young men do egg each other on, but the constant disparaging references to "homos" felt too frequent. And do young men really take so many photographs of each other in sexual positions?
But on the plus side, a final act of violence is filmed very tastefully, and the nudity is nice (if a bit seamy at times). And it really is a very attractive house...
But there *is* actually a plot - or at least, more plot than in Berger's previous, more aimless, films. As in 'Taekwondo' (2016), the setting is a luxurious house in which a group of scantily-clad sportsmen (this time hockey players) gather for the holiday season. Unbenownst to their macho, aggressively straight friends, two of those gathered are occasional bed partners. What will happen if that secret is revealed?
Weaknesses familiar from Berger's previous films are present here: several scenes start with characters statically staring aimlessly into space before one suddenly speaks; and large portions of conversations are carried out with the camera focussed on one participant only. In addition, with upwards of ten featured characters, I found it difficult to keep track of who was who. And the macho crap was, I feel, carried too far: young men do egg each other on, but the constant disparaging references to "homos" felt too frequent. And do young men really take so many photographs of each other in sexual positions?
But on the plus side, a final act of violence is filmed very tastefully, and the nudity is nice (if a bit seamy at times). And it really is a very attractive house...