Desearás al hombre de tu hermana

I wish I could give this film a zero-star rating. One does not simply watch Desire (Desearás al hombre de tu hermana) - no, no, no, no, no. Desire is a film that one must endure. To put it simply, this movie is among the very worst of what cinema has to offer. If that's what you've been searching for, look no further. There are 1) no redeeming qualities whatsoever and 2) nothing compelling about the film. However, every time I see a film, I learn something, so I always enjoy seeing a film regardless of whether or not the film is 'good' or 'bad'. Now, in this circumstance, I must say that if I've learned but one thing, it's that everyone involved in making this film should be ashamed of themselves, with the exception of the child actresses - and especially the parents of those children, because those kids had no say in whether they wanted to be a part of this unholy mess. And I'm sure they had no idea what they were taking part in. Not only this, but I fear that they may grow up ashamed of their roles, though I hope they do not. It isn't their fault. This film is disgusting and positively lifeless. I've seen many disturbing films - grotesque, even - but this film is repugnant, repulsive, abominable. Never before have I seen a film that, while I sat there, thought "I really would prefer if every copy of this film and every trace of it was wiped from existence." It's the only movie I've ever seen that I think one could argue is a declaration of war on cinema itself. I couldn't tell whether the film was trying to be funny and lampoon other erotic films, or whether the film was supposed to have 'that' type of humor. Being that it was the first result when I typed in "erotic" in Netflix's search menu, I incorrectly assumed it would be worth viewing. I couldn't have been more wrong. I simply wanted to explore a genre of films I don't normally watch, and this is what was waiting for me: what is, without a doubt (and without hyperbole), the worst film I have ever seen. In that way, this film reminds me of imitation sushi, always there waiting to be eaten by you . . . Even readily available to you. Yet, when you take a bite you simply confirm all your misgivings, reluctance, and reservations. In other words, don't try it.

I heard about this movie from a news report about the first scene. It is true what they say. Now there are clearly worse movies that portray much more horrible acts towards children, such as A Serbian Film..... BUT that movie isn't on Netflix. Desire is on Netflix. What's up with that? If I wanted to hear about 10 yo girls having orgasms then I would read a Lena Dunham book (and then go throw up). I guess this could be worse... it could have Lena Dunham in it! GROSS.

It only takes five minutes to know this movie is garbage. If you keep watching more than that, is at your own risk. You've been warned. Bad acting, bad writing. Aesthetic over substance. Horrible, forgetable, unbearable, unwatchable. Save your time, your money, your life, your everything. STAY AWAY FROM THIS.

Desire is your average melodrama: its exaggerated characters and contentious events appeal to the emotions, dramatizing a scenario surely uncommon but by no means improbable. Estranged sisters Lucia and Ofelia differ greatly in their attitudes toward sex, the degree of satisfaction sex provides each of them, and their ability and desire to please a partner. Occasional flashbacks show the havoc already wrought as the women became who they now are.

Unexpectedly brought together at Lucia's wedding, the sisters and the men in their lives find self-control overwhelmed by desire. Fidelity gradually goes out the window. When this is discovered, the crap hits the fan.

Desire is well acted for a melodrama, and not unbelievable, I think, even though the lifestyle in a wealthy estate is so unfamiliar. The direction left a couple of minor points unclear; that might be the result of my dependence on subtitles. And it's explicitly sexual, which apparently surprised or offended a number of reviewers. If this film -- whose plot is all about sexual desire -- had not shown strongly simulated sex, I would have felt that it failed to suspend disbelief. Desire does not, however, come even close to the "primarily intended to arouse" standard of pornography: it's just explicit enough that you know the characters' passions. A couple of kids riding horsie on pillows, made relevant only by the adult narrator, is hardly worthy of complaint. (Unsurprisingly, this scene is removed from the version streaming on Amazon Prime video in 2024.)

Watch Desire when your brain is too tired for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but not yet jaded enough for Dirty Blondes from Beyond. It's not great, but it isn't horrible, either.

Other reviews suffice to say this is garbage, and they are correct and I could tell in about 5 minutes. I also believe that this foreign film should not be on American screens as so much press has said. I truly wish remove it either voluntarily or via force.