The Dark Side of the Sun

By the time this 1988 movie got around to being released direct to video, Brad Pitt had become a superstar with a name and looks known world wide. So audiences seeing it in 1997 they knew who was behind the black leather mask.

Some truly homoerotic overtones are in The Dark Side Of The Sun where Brad Pitt because he is suffering from a rare skin disease where the contact with sunlight can be fatal. Pitt is quite the interesting package on that motorcycle dressed in black leather from top to bottom even with a leather ski mask. Had this film been released in 1988 it wouldn't have had the same impact when Pitt unmasks.

Pitt, father Guy Boyd, and mother Milena Dravic are in Yugoslavia while it was still intact on the Adriatic coast seeing a healer. Apparently these people are rich enough to look for everything that science, faith or even witchcraft has to offer.

But after Pitt meets another young American Cheryl Pollak he decides that maybe the three days he can expose himself to the sun before his skin erupts and he dies a really horrible painful death are worth the price.

The ironic twist here is that the sun and our perfect proximity to it is what sustains life on earth. It is also Pitt's instrument of death.

Pollak and Pitt make a tender Love Story like romantic couple and the Adriatic surely is a beautiful location with a romantic atmosphere.

The Dark Side Of The Sun has that interesting history. That lost footage stored for 9 years kept this film from being seen until Yugoslavia broke up after Tito's death. Would the reaction have been different had it been released in 1988 before Brad Pitt was superstar Brad Pitt?

I guess only if we slide into an alternate universe will we ever know.

Keeping in mind that this is Brad Pitt's first debut acting film, I was impressed. The film itself had its low budget, foreign movie type downfalls, but looking at most major blockbuster movie stars in their embarrassing early films, I think he showed great beginning quality. The script was great, made me think about how precious every day is.

This obscure film from Yugoslavia would probably be even more obscure if it didn't star the then-unknown actor Brad Pitt. And undeservedly neglected, as "Dark side of the Sun" is quite a beautiful, and utterly surreal piece of filmmaking. The young Rick suffers from a rare skin disease; if he is exposed to sunlight, or any bright light, his skin will quickly deteriorate and he will die in just a matter of days or weeks. because of this, Rick must wear a bizarre, S&M style leather body suit, and matching black leather mask, all the time! Nobody can see his face, and he rides a motorcycle, so as not to appear too strange in his leather suit. A chance encounter with a beautiful American girl, (Rick is also American, but lives in Yugoslavia) forces Rick to re-evaluate his own existence. He decides that a week living life as a normal kid is worth a lifetime of living separated from the World.

This film has a lot going for it, such as the beautiful Yugoslavian scenery and glimpse into their culture. Filmed just before war broke out in this land, the film provides an opportunity to see how wonderful and peaceful Yugoslavia was before the late 1980's. The story is unabashedly romantic, and tragic, and possesses a rare innocent quality to it. The director wisely decides to score the film with beautiful classical music, which adds much intensity to the already emotional tale. Filmed mostly in a gorgeous mansion by the sea, "Dark side of the Sun" has a distinctly "foreign film" style to it, which i wasn't expecting. American films from this period usually have a very dated look to them, but this movie has aged well. I believe director Bozidar Nikolic cast a physically beautiful actor in the main role intentionally, making the fact that he must live wearing a mask that much more tragic and sad. "Dark side of the Sun" possesses a surreal quality. It plays out much like a Greek tragedy, or some bizarre fairy tale, and it's conclusion is not exactly a happy one, but considering it's a story of a young person living out their dream, you don't feel depressed at the films end. Although it is difficult to see Rick's physical beauty destroyed. Not surprisingly this movie did not score too high here; it is strange and not for all tastes. Recommended though, for fans of foreign film, or just bizarre and unique cinema.

"I want to live! But sometimes I wish I had never been born" are the opening lines of 'Dark Side of the Sun'...bit melodramatic. Some might feel that some excellent performances are marred by the occasional desire by some actors to add a bit of heightened drama to what is a relatively simple film. For instance Guy Boyd's performance as the father is superb though there are some moments such as towards the end where he talks to his mentally ill wife that his performance goes a bit day time TV-ish this though was probably more to do with Nikolic's (director) need to make sure the audience don't get bored with what is essentially a film about life, namely the difference between observing it and participating in it: "I am just an observer of life" says Brad Pitt's character… yes Brad Pitt: Fight Club, Mr. and Mrs. Smith etc…only this is Brad Pit at a young age before he'd been noticed in Thelma and Louise (although 'Dark Side Of the Sun' itself wouldn't be released until six years after when all the footage had been rescued from war torn Yugoslavia, it then went straight to video so you'll probably only see it on late night TV or amongst such classics as Rambo 12 or whatever in the bargain bucket ) so expect more of a Leonardo Dicaprio in Romeo and Juliet performance than Achilles in Troy. Rick (Pitt) has been stuck in a world of darkness all his life moving across the world to find a cure for his disease the next and final hope is a Yugoslavian healer, a man who Rick's dad has complete faith in to find a cure. It ain't happening basically and Rick is getting jaded with it all. The character is very much a poet and philosopher and there are plenty of high angle shots to suggest a superior quality in this pasty faced hero. "People can hide without using a mask' there's a lot of this sort of half wise half pretentious dialogue in this film which could be easily mistaken for a student work …in fact there a lot of pants bits here but hey if you like Pitt or nice little unheard films go for it; splash out a quid/dollar for it I've slatted it a bit but its alright give it a watch.

I was only fourteen when I first watched this film on TV. I liked everything about it: dialogs, acting, music, its plot (especially interchanging cheerful and poignant moments)... I didn't like only the ending but later I understood that the film just couldn't have ended otherwise. I fell in love with Rick the moment he took his mask off. Actually, Brad Pitt is still my favourite actor thanks to this character. His Rick is lively, a bit childlike, courageous, strong, a real gentleman and pure charm. I wish the film was longer so I could get to see him more! I have to admit that I wouldn't like this film so much if it wasn't for Brad's talent and looks. Of course, over the years I realized how unpretentious "The Dark Side of the Sun" is but it will forever be my favourite of favourites. It occupies such special place because:

• It sparked my passion for learning English as I wanted to understand everything when I would watch the film in the original. Eventually, my linguistic skills determined my career path.
• It gave me the sweet feeling of being truly in love for the first time.
• It cured my fear of sleeping in the dark.
• It broadened my horizons: for example, it made me interested in works by Tennessee Williams.

I understand that other people can react to this film differently so I won't urge anyone to watch it. I just felt compelled to share my experience. Thank you for reading.