Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Mike Legentil I found that this movie was often clumsily filmed: static long scenes, some unseen reaction shots, etc. -- almost as if it was hastily filmed -- as economically as possible. Also -- perhaps more for female audiences --, it was filmed in a «physically frustrating» way. Overall, too many important clues to the understanding and logic of the story were unnecessarily «hidden» -- specially the ones dealing with what really happened at the very end to Ledba. There were also unnecessarily «prudish» scene -- after all, this film was filmed in 2004, not in 1954 !!! -- such as the two frontal male nudity scenes in which the lighting (or rather the shadows) camouflaged the genitals. Either you show full nudity or you don't ! I'm referring to two scenes, the first when Legba pulls down his trunks and stands stark nude on the beach at night, facing Brenda. The other, when Sue's Haitian lover climbs into bed where she's lying with most of her body covered with sheets. Another thing I noticed: many people wrote about Legba'a «very beautiful» physique. Although his face is very boyishly charming and handsome, his body is far too slim (his legs seem almost as shapeless as long wooden sticks) -- ironical that his name is... LEGba ! Overall, he does not seem to be very sexually «inspiring» -- he has sensuality, yes, but not much sex appeal. Perhaps the producers couldn't find a more suitable actor...? The same possibility might apply to Karen Young. In spite of her great acting, she looked far older and withered than her mid-forties. And she's far to skinny also (with the same type of legs as Legba's). In the very brief scene were she finishes taking a shower, her very bony and flat chest is seen. But perhaps she was cast ON PURPOSE since a much more attractive actress would seem less convincing as a «sexual tourist» -- although she does play the part of a repressed woman from Georgia who had her first orgasm at 45 with Legba, when he was 15 ! All this being said, the scenery is great, the topic still very actual, humane and important. And there's the presence of the cool and always wonderful Charlotte Rampling who is ALMOST miscast : does a woman as attractive as she STILL is -- even at 55 -- «need» to «retribute» young men for intimate company...? But PERHAPS -- just a supposition -- for some woman, once having «tasted» the... let’s say euphemistically... the «close and warm conviviality» of a «divinely attractive» Haitian man... it's very difficult NOT to long to renew the experience... again and again.

bobsprincess70 Excellent piece of work in every way ... this movie covers such profound issues, it touches the human soul .. emotional, genuine, realistic, and the performance of all involved was truly authentic.I loved it ... must admit I happen to have this weakness for Black men, especially of French descent such as Haitians .. something about them is more intense and encompassing, more subtle and sensitive ...One thing I didn't quite understand however: I had the impression that Ellen hired the gunman just to frighten Legba, to then convince him to leave the country with her. I guess that wasn't it, but can someone tell me who killed Legba? Also, who was that Black woman in the Mercedes .. what was that all about? sorry I was lost with that part..Thanks P.K.

beglenrice It's difficult for audience members to watch movies like this without subjecting the film to a standard for film, not art. They watch dumbly, unable to appreciate, comparing and analyzing why they don't see relevance to their lives, and ultimately not connecting. This film, I find, to be extremely good, telling a very real story (although there are numerous anachronisms to the late 70's/early 80's time period), and when such films pursue such detailed reality within the construct of of a story-telling medium, the results are dazzling. The setting is Haiti, with its poverty and glorious island paradise, there are political tensions, there are racial problems. There are the older women paying young Haitian men for sex, they have histories. There are many circumstances. The beauty of it is, you can envision the entire history of Ellen (Charlotte Rampling's character) in an entirely different movie with as much depth as you may find anywhere, credit due to her acting and the writer. You can see so many other stories being untold and told at once, if you let go of your cinematic prejudices. Legba's past is never disclosed, but it's at once known without knowing, and even the 'reality' monologues, questionably interspersed, they're revealing as much as they are saying by what they're not saying. Audience members have difficulty allowing their imaginations to read between the lines and fully engross themselves. The specificity of this film makes its themes universal and undeniably relevant to anyone, including me, a 30 year old white American artist. There are questionable cinematic devices to a cynical viewer, but ultimately the film stands on its own two feet and proclaims certain hidden truths. Shall I name them? No. I recommend this film highly to humble, intellectual minds who appreciate humanity. I especially appreciated what I viewed as the fundamental difference between two people from different backgrounds who shared the same passion. Ellen and Brenda both love Legba. Ellen, the English woman, understands the circumstances and resigns herself to them without hope, while Brenda, the awkward and passionate American, lets her heart bleed all over the place with hope. Hope and faith, and belief in miracles, a truly innate and indigenous American characteristic, while cynicism, resolution, calculated and methodical, stereotypes the Brits. Each has their downfall, but the love remains from the heart. I liked this film very much.

jotix100 Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world attracts a special kind of sexual tourism. It doesn't involve men looking for kinky sex, or men looking for women, instead it is mainly older women who like to spend some time with the young men they met at the beaches of the different resorts they patronize. The sex is an adventure as well as something they could well afford. After all, the young men these women seek are flattered by the white women that love to have a little time with them while on vacation.Helen, a repeat visitor, has claimed for her stay the services of the handsome, slim, and charming Legba. Helen, a college professor back in the States, figures in Boston she could only aspire to have sex with older men who are cheating their wives. Here at the resort, she has picked the cream of the crop for her amusement during her summer vacation. Little prepares her to see someone else take claim of Legba, who she regards as her personal property.Brenda, a woman from Savannah, arrives at the resort, as the story unfolds. Having been there before with her husband, she had met Legba; they had sex and the young man has made her come for more, not knowing she is stepping on someone's territory. Helen, in spite of her welcoming gesture, realizes she is competing with Brenda for the same young man.Legba and his friends are ubiquitous in other parts of the Caribbean resorts where they tend to go in search of adventure and a bit of money so they can have nice clothes that most of the time are given to them by the tourists. Legba, or his friends, are never accepted to eat at the restaurant, as it's made clear to Brenda by Albert, the hotel manager, who considers them a plague he rather do away with.Haiti was ruled at the time by Francois Duvalier, or "Papa Doc", one of the bloodiest dictators in the Caribbean. His men roamed the country killing left and right. One of the higher ups in the government takes a young mistress, who happened to be in love with Legba. When she sees him on the street one day, she invites him for a ride, but she is marking him as a condemned man as far as the loyal driver is concerned. Legba will have no chance to keep on living after that encounter.Laurent Cantet, the huge talent behind the camera, keeps surprising his audience. He co-wrote the screen play with Robin Campillo, resulting in an impressive film in the way it's been set up and the rich texture Mr. Cantet gave to the production.Charlotte Rampling is seen as Helen. This actress is enjoying a second career in France. Ms. Rampling is one of the best things in the film. One can see in her face the emotions this woman of a certain age is going through after she feels betrayed by Legba. Karen Young, as Brenda, is also quite good. Evidently she never knew love in her marriage and she awakens with Legba in the kind of sex she has never experienced. Louise Portal plays Sue, the Canadian woman who is attracted to the sexual atmosphere and the attention from all the poor youths that look for tourists in order to make ends meet. Menathy Cesar, appears as Legba. Mr. Cesar shows why the women love him. He is charismatic and knows how to move. Lys Ambroise plays Albert, the proud man of a good family now reduced to manage this resort.Laurent Cantet clearly shows why he is one of the most interesting directors working in films today. He has no fear tackling themes other more established men would shun to deal with. His honesty permeates everything he does. This is a film recommended for mature audiences.