If I had only ten films to take on a desert island or to be more realistic to pare my films down to ten this would be high on the list. It is quite simply one of the best gay films ever made. I use the word gay deliberately as it is without women in it; has a lot of frontal nudity and it seems proud of the functions of the male body and all the intimate things a male body does. I do not see this as a limitation but a celebration of men needing to be with each other. Jonas, played beautifully by Eric Klotzsch is German and wants to go on a road trip with his best male friend from the UK played very well and lacking all inhibitions by George Taylor. They visit a remote part of Germany, and romantically kiss and even dance together in a deserted castle ( an excellent scene, ) despite the fact that Jonas does not identify as being gay. And yet his love for Phillip is palpable in every scene they are in. He even asks Phillip to live with him, and Jonas who is a photographer takes many of his beloved friend in the nude, and surprisingly this appears totally ' innocent ' sexually. They even perform their toilet functions together and this too seems totally natural. Then a youthful Polish youth played by Michal Grabowski hitches a ride with them and dominates their holiday. It is at this point that Jonas with the finest of nuanced looks becomes aware of what appears jealousy, especially when a sexual relationship begins between Boris the Polish wild guy eager for experience with Phillip. End of spoilers. Nils Bokamp directs with great expertise and on occasion watching the film I sensed slightly that he was very aware of both Polanski's ' Knife in the Water ' and an atmosphere worthy of Eric Rohmer. I thought of Rohmer in a symbolic cherry picking scene in the grounds of a manor where the threesome eventually reach a quiet destination. That said Bokamp is his own man and a finely attuned director to image, sound and actor's needs. Rarer than you think in cinema. As for the three actors they are perfect, and I thought that Eric Klotzsch should have been around in France in the 1960's. Jean Sorel and Alain Delon would have met an equal both in looks and acting. A Great film with a capital G and I am ashamed of myself that it has taken me so long to see it. Perfection.
Review of You & I
