The Dark Side of the Sun

In spite of what others have said, I enjoyed this movie. I had never heard of it before and I have just seen it on the Canadian Movie Channel. I was puzzled to see how young Brad Pitt was - even younger than in "Thelma and Louise" - until I read the explanation about it being filmed in Yugoslavia in 1988 and then being lost for 9 years until finally issued in 1997. As I am a male senior citizen, I don't get palpitations at the sight of Brad Pitt, but I do like and respect him, and have enjoyed most of his movies. Some of the acting and parts of the script leave a great deal to be desired. However, this movie has a very Film Festival European feel to it, and in my view is a bit too deep for most North American film fans (insult intended). The scene of him frolicking in the ocean with the dolphins, and his description of the most wonderful day that he had ever spent, moved me tremendously. Life is made up of choices, and the choice for the hero was one day of great happiness and joy, or a lifetime of imprisonment.

Now before anyone jumps all over me and declares that im outta my mind, let me just say I understand why most find this coming of age tale so atrocious. Yes, the acting is bad, the production low-budget and the writing a is no-great shakes. However, Brad Pitt displays, with oodles of charisma, boyish charm,looks and innocence that there is more to an actors appeal than ability to act. Ever seen depp in nightmare on elm street,or keannu in just about everything he's done? Adversely,some actors that are "great actors" are simply put, boring to watch, serving no more than a utility. Maybe, it's not fair but neither is life. I found this film to be incredibly moving and strongly recommend it to any who are romantics at heart.WARNING: Not for skeptics.

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.

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.

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.