L'homme que j'aime

"L'Homme que j'aime", which outside of France, is being shown as a theatrical movie at several festivals is an upbeat love story, albeit not your conventional love story. First, it is a gay love story. However, it is mainstream in that it is distributed by La Sept-Arte, and features Mathilde Seigner, one of France's most prolific youngish stars. This is a love story which conquers all. Seemingly unsurmountable difficulties are, at the end of the day, surmounted., and overall, the movie transmits a very positive message, unusual both in contemporary gay films and French films in general.

L'Homme Que J'aime - The Man I Love

Sweet sad love story but not depressing

My Rating 7/10

I discovered : L'Homme que j'aime)while looking for another film it had been incorrectly titled on Vimeo so I think I was meant to be reminded of those sad days when we all lost our "Longtime Companions ." This is a beautiful love story produced for French television in 1997 and later released at the Cinema in 2001 as well as telling it a love story between two men which set in the early 1990's in when AIDS was still a death sentence and same sex marriage was only a dream . This movie highlights the Political ignorance and indifference that delayed treatment for men who were pleading for medical treatment and care had to take to the streets to demonstrate .

The movie introduces us to Martin (Marcial Di Fonzo Bo), a brash pool monitor and resident lifeguard Lucas (Jean-Michel Portal).

Martin becomes interested in the younger and attractive Lucas but Lucas has a live-in girlfriend, Lise (Mathilde Seigner). Lucas is initially resistant to Martin's courtship dance but there is obviously a spark of recognition and realisation of deeper feelings developing between the two men.

Lise starts to integrate Martin into Lucas and Lisa's social life. Lucas then begins to doubt his heterosexuality and starts falling for Martin. But Martin is declared HIV-positive, which forces Lucas to choose between the terminally ill man he starts to love and his first love Lise.

The motto "Live each day of your life as if it were your last" is the main theme of the film.

It's a very touching French movie and interesting to see a European view of this tragic era during the last World pandemic when Governments acted shamefully at a snails pace in funding medical solutions and care to the me and women who were suffering in stark contrast to our current Covid 19 World pandemic.

Strange summary but let's face it- Jean-Michele Portal's excellent portrayal of "Lucas" reminds me of H of "CSI: Miami". Nearly emotionless, yet full of passion. Too bad American TV is not as sophisticated. I would be willing to bet that nothing was said against the film when it was screened on French TV. Try that in America, land of the free? I doubt it. What are people so afraid of? People in love? Amazing. A magnificent performance by the entire cast. The cute little church toward the end was very nice, as was the entire scenery. Many thanks for a realistic story that saves us the fluff but provides closure and meaning along with hope. Nobody is forgotten. Merci.

An unexpected delight. This is a touching and moving exploration of both coming out and the tragedy of love.

Delicate performances and a wonderful sense of humour permeate the story.

Even Marseilles seems as inviting as the arms of Martin.

Despite the underlying sense of oncoming tragedy it does not overwhelm the beauty of this simple modern gay love story.

Keep an eye out for the pink Mercedes Benz. It adds a little touch of the absurd to the mix!

A film to enjoy and savour many times!

I Loved this movie. It was passionate, believable and just a beautiful film all the way around. One of those movies you don't just watch but you feel. Highly recommended for fans of foreign gay cinema! This director and all of the actors are superb!