The mates of Jules and Louis are picking the forbidden apple from the tree of good and evil not sure what they're truly embarking upon when each take a bite out of Ruby, the black harlot or as the tale calls her Black Ruby a forbidden gem. Interesting that the black hustler Quazy who set's up the street fights in the movie narrates the entire film. Good choice.
The film could have upped the sex, upped the dialogues and upped the performances. Though, the subtlety works and the artsy approach of moods and silent performances with a dab of violence secure the film. I fathom sexually I wouldn't want to see Jules Mandel, the fat waster, he is played by Joseph Mennella have erotic dealings, his 5 second awkward chubby bang was enough. Louis Katz played by Zachary Laoutides reminded me of French film flashes, he sells the sexuality with his face to a rather numb and bland Ruby, played by Krystal Heredia. I can't justify why she was so expressionless in the film, but maybe it was her character choice, but a little too distant for me to care.
The soundtrack made by Manchester's own Liam Williams is stellar and award worthy. Any Brando similarities should be attributed to Zachary Laoutides. Joseph Mennella will disappoint you if you think he is anything close to Brando or even expressions the classical looker. I can conclusively see the Montgomery Clift comparison to Laoutides, he is a unusual actor who understands silence and expressions.
This film is full of forbidden fruits because they break the guidelines in film, but that is why the film was liked, applauded and nominated. Audiences like rule breakers.