Je t'aime moi non plus

The homosexual garbage truck driver Krassky (Joe Dallesandro) and his partner Padovan (Hugues Quester) stop at an isolated restaurant near the landfill where they work to drink a beer. They are served by the waitress Johnny (Jane Birkin) and she explains that the sleazy owner Boris (Reinhard Kolldehoff) has given that nickname to her since she wears short hair and has small breasts. Her tomboy style attracts Krassky and she has a crush on him. Boris warns her that Krassky is gay but Johnny dates him. When they go to bed, Krassky fails; however, when he sees her laying down on her face, he gets excited and sodomizes her. They start an unusual relationship while Padovan gets jealous.

"Je t'aime moi non plus" is a cult perverted romance that called the attention of Jane Birkin to the audiences in the 70's. This actress is used and abused along the shallow story and made the title song famous mainly because of her moaning and screams. This song has also become a synonym of love and eroticism. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Paixão Selvagem" ("Wild Passion")

The story line was intriguing but the film could have been so much better, like with a better script, better actors, better direction etc. Apart from the 'Je T'aime' song, the music in this film is particularly inappropriate. When I think of Joe Dallesandro the word 'wooden' comes to mind, and the others taking part are on a similar level, although Jane Birkin should get a mention for effort. Nothing much happens apart from the garbage truck driver attempting anal sex with the waitress. The question remains, did they finally achieve this satisfactorily in the back of the truck, or had he inadvertently managed to find the right hole? I don't suppose I'll ever know.

The film is a classic one. Jane Birkin incredibly sexy and Depardieu in a surprise-part. Erotic scenes that you will never forget...

While this hard to find gem may not be palatable to the general public, it's a must see for fans of Serge Gainsbourg or those that appreciate a truly twisted love story. The film set somewhere in France is about two gay garbage men one of whom is played by Warhol star Joe Dallasandro, who happen a very young and androgynous Jane Birkin. Dallasandro and Birkin's characters begin a very torrid and complicated love affair. You see, he can only become aroused when taking her from behind. Proving that love can sometimes be painful this original film is not to be missed. Oh, and it has a young Gerard Depardieu riding around naked on a horse.

A decidedly off-beat love story as two characters from the fringe seek love in a wasteland of flesh and garbage, only to find it fleetingly in the back of a garbage truck. Kurant's luminous cinematography and Gainsbourg's leisurely pace do much to bring beauty to scenes that might otherwise be unbearably sordid.

Dallesandro and Birkin are beautiful to look at and play a dysfunctional couple in more ways than one. The film explores the poignancy of emotional need, the vulnerability to abuse and the impossibility of communication within the couple. It's a tale of surprising tenderness and cruelty.

Gainsbourg's soundtrack is surprisingly sparse, but used imaginatively and with more than a hint of irony.