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This beautiful visionary art film based on the director's take of the life of Caravaggio was worth the almost 7 years it took to make it. Derek Jarman had the brilliant sense to use Nigel Terry and Sean Bean as the lovers in this meditation on sexuality, criminality and art. This film is more of a fictionalization on Caravaggio using the artist's works as a way to pursue the story of the artist. It is beautiful, as are the actors and actresses, and Sean Bean is a revelation in this very early role, as he plays Ranucio, the love interest of Caravaggio. When he is on screen he steals the movie, as his animal magnetism, sexual energy, and wild persona grip the film and propel the story forward. This is an adult film with homosexual themes and might not be for everyone, but if one is adult and has a sense of taste, and loves art movies, this is a 10 out of 10.

Instead of hitting one over the head with this film, this movie allows you to feel a period in South Africa through the actor and the actual country. It is a careful and slow paced film about the problems of South Africa during a specific period of time. Fortunately, some of those problems have been resolved, but the power of this film is that it was filmed in the country of origin. You can be moved by the atmosphere, the surroundings, and the plot which does keep one guessing for quite a while. Sean Bean is stunning both physically, and as ALWAYS perfection acting-wise, as the central character in this film. His stillness and emotional range at the same time will transfix you to stay on board throughout the film. You keep wondering if he will make, or if the other central character will make it, but this film does not charge at you and beat you over the head with the message. The message is the film, and it is delivered by a seamless craftsman, Sean Bean, and an elder statesman of film, John Hurt. Not to be missed.

Is there anything this man cannot play? After making as vast a collection of his work as possible, the answer is a resounding, "NO!" Sean Bean, plays a school teacher with glasses and boring clothes (well, there had to be something to cover up his good looks) who has a chubby mate, and they together take part in historical re-enactments on the weekends. Sound boring? NOPE, and it isn't as Bean morphs even physically in his walk and posture to become a school teacher who still lives at home, cannot make life decisions, but is NOT so geeky that he doesn't fancy a girl, can put up a fight, and proves that indeed there is a real man in there. It is that fine line that Bean takes and gives this character real life and breath. He makes the teacher live, makes him incredibly real, and yet does not make him pathetic. The teacher is a man, and not a complete loser, as no one is, but darn few actors could pull off such a balance with this delicate material, but he does. He always makes you care and get involved. From lover to villain, to hero, to geek, Sean Bean can do absolutely anything and everything on a screen. Simply the best actor around.