Sexo por Compaixão

This is a highly unique film, one I would consider more "expressionist" than surreal in style. The acting is wonderful, the art direction good, and the message elusively simple. The heroine - incredible as it sounds - makes sex with essentially every man in town: not once, but regularly. As a result, she attracts a congregation far larger than that of the local church, which is a story in itself. But what draws the men to bed with this plump, good-natured middle-aged woman who suffers an "excess of goodness"? Her compassion, her understanding, her charitable advice - all of it free.

In brief, while churchly figures may strive to avoid sin and devote their spirits to meditation and repentance, such self-centered acts do little to guide or succor or console their fellow man. This woman discovers - and wow!, with such a human and comic touch - that more can actually be achieved if we only sin a little.

It's difficult to say more without disclosing the whole plot - though actually, even if one knew the story in advance in full detail, the timing and expressive acting still would make it fun.

I'll add for clarity that this film contains no nudity and no foul language that I can recall (unless a reader would consider, e.g., "gilipollas" foul), and that it is "adult" most of all in the sense that only relatively thoughtful, intelligent people are likely to understand it - be they children or senior citizens.

Okay - one little gripe. I didn't really appreciate the humorous intrusion of the talk-show host for Univision's "Hasta en las Mejores Familias" or whatever the program's called. She appears as the enraged madam of the local brothel. I'm sorry. Really, I am. But if it'd been anyone from Despierta America, like the charming news person from Honduras, or Giselle or even their dog, I'd been happier. But not Mejores Familias! She was excessive.

Much like "Lolita", the main character of the film, "Sexo por compasión", the film, revitalizes the desire to live in all who experience her. The beginnings of the film are decidedly gloomy and grey, but it grows colourful and cheerful. During its progress, it touches on sensitive themes of love and sex with a profound understanding. Despite its adult themes, the movie is as far removed from porn and "erotica" as possible. It is intended indeed for mature viewers, who do not need nudity or sweaty sex scenes to understand the themes.

This is a strong movie on all accounts. Deliberate directing, charming characters and an optimistic view of life bring it well through. What's noteworthy about the characters is that they aren't cast into restrictive roles, instead they work together to create a living village. Humorous, warm-hearted and imaginative, everybody should see Sexo por compasión.

I wanted to see this film, because I have read very good reviews. They said it was a hilarious comedy filled with sarcasm. I saw the movie and didn't laugh once. It was a sad movie, talking about people stuck with a reality they don't like and they try to change it. Or that is what I thought the movie was about. It confused me and I think the film doesn't have a message that is clear. Maybe the director and the writer didn't exactly know what they wanted to say in the first place. Anyway it is a good movie, with very good performances...I liked it.

This is the story of a drab and gray Mexican village, where life is boring. The main character is a wife, who mourns the unexpected leave of her husband. She learns that he left her because maybe she is a person without sins. So she wants to do terrible sins in the hope that her husband may return. Adultery proves to be one of the most terrible sins. Thus, she decides to sleep with other men. But miraculously, she helps the sad men who visit her. After sleeping with her, they find new energy in life and the dreary village comes to life again. At this point in the movie, the colour returns to the movie too. In the beginning the movie was shot in gray-colors, but now it turns to glorious colors. The movie is done as a comedy with plenty of laughs and funny situations, but there's a serious undertone of breaking through the macho-culture of Mexico. I found the movie very enjoyable and lighthearted. Recommended.

In a small village in Spain, the middle-aged Dolores (Elisabeth Margooni) is a very good catholic woman, considered almost a saint by the villagers. However, her beloved husband Manolo (José Sancho) leaves her with the argument that she was too perfect, without any sin in her life. Dolores tries to find how she could commit a sin, and in the local bar she hears that the worst thing a woman could do to a man was to cheat him with another man. Dolores adopts the pseudonym of Lolita and has sex for compassion with all the men of the village. The local priest becomes jealous with the situation, since people compare Dolores with a saint and she raises money to rebuild the church. The small town becomes colorful and brightness with her attitude. Things change when Manolo returns to the village. This surreal movie uses the idea of the 1998 `Pleasantville', regarding to the use of black & white and colors to express the feeling of the villagers. The direction of Laura Mañá and the performance of the unknown cast are marvelous. The simple story hooks-up the attention of the viewer along the 109 minutes without being boring in any moment. The soundtrack is another magnificent attraction of this wonderful film. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): ` Sexo Por Compaixão' (` Sex For Compassion')