Thomas est amoureux

Thomas In Love is a very interesting film from the first second to the last. It's not the least bit like any other movie I've seen, thus most likely, you'll either love it or hate it. It starts out on a computerized screen, and you begin waiting for the moment it'll jump onto "real life scenes". Now, that was one of the most enjoyable waits of my life, lasting longer than I thought. Thomas In Love is certainly watchable, and even more. Easily 3 stars out of 5, and maybe a 4th one.

But as I said, don't expect to see a Hollywood movie, or a European movie, or a Belgian movie. It's 100%, and not even 99.9%, different than any other movie ever made that I've seen. You might not like it, and as stated above, you could very well hate it. But you'll find it outstanding and interesting for sure, and you won't regret having spent an hour and a half with it EVEN IF you hate it. Watch it!

thomas in love is an engaging story and with aesthetically pleasing cinematography and colorful sets

i wish the relationships between the characters could have been developed a bit more fully. perhaps casting was the issue because one 'cyber-girlfriend' was much more engaging than the other, which leaves you missing her towards the end of the film.

it might have held together better if it had focused on one major relationship. almost seems as if there was enough raw material to develop into two separate films rather than trying to smush both relationships into one.

but overall, a really enjoyable film!

warning: fast forward past first few minutes if you don't know your date too well-- gratuitous cartoon sex could have been handled with more subtlety. didn't add much except titillation to the storyline.

if you liked this film, check out Lynn Hershman Leeson's TechnoLust. Leeson adds a bit more humor but similar mise en scene & aesthetic.

I got up early on Sunday to catch a matinee of Thomas in Love. I had a horrible headache (from all the drinking I did the night before) and i almost thought twice about going to see this french Sci-Fi story about an agoraphobic. But i got up, put on my clothes and head over to the Nuart, my second favorite place in L.A. The movie was astounding, told completely thought the computer and video/phone system that Thomas uses to keep in touch with the world. The movie has a very hopeful and frightening feeling to it, simultaneously, a walking contradiction, like Thomas himself. The film has a very sterile and detached details to it, which is the reason for my fear. Internet will only separate us more, one does not need to live the house, or socialize. With great special efx (that add to the story, not take over), and a simple, almost under written characters, the director manages to pull two love stories in two hours both of them different and haunting, like love itself. The acting was difficult just because is all talking heads, but still is fascinating.

We caught Thomas est amoureux at the Virginia Film Festival this year. As we left, my wife and I (who have seen a number of really good films this year) agreed that this was one of, if not the best, movie we'd seen in a long time. It tells the story of Thomas, a young agoraphobic, who has not left his house in eight years and who interacts solely through the internet videophone on his computer. Yes, it is told from his point of view, which is as claustrophobic and inhibiting as you would expect. However, I thought it was brilliant - by the end, I felt as cramped and limited as the protagonist. ****/****

In an undefined future having big insurance corporations, Thomas is a thirty-three years old retired man having agoraphobia for eight years. He uses cyber-sex for sexual self-satisfaction and never leaves his place or receives any visit. His apartment has a type of air-lock or ante-room, where he receives his deliveries. Thomas has psychological treatment with his psychiatrist through the video. One day, he knows the therapeutic prostitute Eva, and falls in love with her.

This low-budget movie is one of the most original and intriguing films I have ever seen. This view of the future using the video to achieve all the services is getting closer and closer. The story hooks the attention until the last (disappointing) open scene, when we finally see Thomas. In Brazil, this film is only available on cable television. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Apaixonado Thomas" ("Infactuated Thomas")

Obs: On 17 July 2008, I watched this movie on DVD.