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Customer Reviews of The Man I Love

A French Love Story
In this bittersweet French film, gay boy (Martin) meets straight boy (Lucard),who cuts quite a figure in speedos, falls for him, and confesses his love immediately. Straight boy unfortunately has girl friend so the scene is set for a love triangle. But straight boy (Lucard) with not much coaching goes from straight to bi to gay (?) rather quickly. <
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>The swimming pool scenes are lush as are some of the shots in the French countryside. Although the film is uneven, it certainly has its moments including a demonstration by the French Act-Up organization and a gay wedding orchestrated by Martin's mother, a French Auntie Mame who drives a lavender Mercedes. The film deals with the difficult subject of two lovers, one who is living and the other who is dying. <
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>Another gay-themed film well worth seeing.

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A French "Love Story" Featuring A Romantic Lead Only A Masochist Could Love
I have to be frank, I'm quite surprised at how well received this small French film has been by many viewers. In no way do I wish to offend anyone--if you found something of value in this film, I'm pleased. However, having really looked forward to "The Man I Love," I recently sat down with a few friends to check out the DVD. This story of forbidden love and AIDS is supposed to be charming and moving, but unanimously--we found it annoying and preposterous. With a lead character so childish, so selfish, so petulant, so borderline obsessive, so disrespectful--let's just say, it's hard to root for this film as any kind of "love story." Instead, I just wished someone would slap this guy around until he had some sense. <
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>OK, I know this sounds harsh--so let's get down to the facts of the matter. "The Man I Love" centers on an HIV+ man named Martin. Working at a local pool, he meets a new lifeguard named Lucas. Lucas, while attractive, is a monosyllabic jerk in this first meeting--he orders Martin around and barely contains a real indifference and disdain for his odd coworker. Guess what? Martin just eats this up--he pesters Lucas on the way home and proclaims his love (within minutes of the initial meeting) for the straight and horrified man who just wants to escape this creepy stalker. However, Martin ends up meeting Lucas's live-in girlfriend, and she is sweet, inviting, and genuinely fond of Martin--this ends up being the key to how Martin and Lucas start spending more time together. "Irrepressible" Martin starts to employ "charming," "hysterical," and "endearing" tactics to win Lucas's thawing heart--and the two, who have no common ground, start to grow close as Lucas realizes there might be an attraction. Knowing that this is both a "love story" and an AIDS drama, I'll leave the rest of the plot to your imagination. <
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>I have nothing against the storyline of "The Man I Love," but it's not particularly unique. I have nothing against the actors. Lucas, his girlfriend, and Martin's mother all give solid performances--I was especially impressed with the actor who portrays Lucas. Having to perform the most difficult role, he must convince you to believe in some of the most outlandish scenarios. Being stalked, manipulated and molested by Martin--he still tries to sell that this is a "love story." That brings us to Martin. Oh, I get it. We are supposed to love Martin's free spirit, but there's a reason I've used quotes on the adjectives "irrepressible," "charming," and "endearing." That's how the movie expects us to view Martin's juvenile antics. But his complete disregard for everyone, but himself, is an enormous problem. Throwing dead fish in a public pool and terrorizing clients--"hysterically romantic!" (But we're supposed to view his boss as the villain for having a problem with these things.) He disregards Lucas's feelings constantly and is a monster to Lucas's girlfriend, someone who has specifically reached out to him in friendship. Martin is a truly awful human being who claims he doesn't want to be pitied for being ill, but uses it to manipulate everyone when it serves his purpose. It's offensive. <
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>As you can see, I feel passionately about this misguided movie. Negative stereotypes abound, but again--this film has been embraced by many. If someone who is completely selfish and mean-spirited is an ideal romantic partner for you, then check this movie out and enjoy! For myself, however, I'll find love elsewhere. KGHarris, 02/07. <
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Something amiss but still worth looking at
The Man I Love is an OK movie...it has some positive elements to it. The story follows Martin, who is HIV+. He meets Lucas, a lifeguard and diver at the pool where he works. Lucas is straight, or so the story goes, and living with Lise. Martin begins a quest, of sorts, to get Lucas into bed, and Lucas eventually realizes that he loves Martin and it goes on from there (don't want to spoil the ending). I think there are a lot of people, including myself, who can identify with the idea of loving someone who seems completely unavailable; Martin at least has the guts to go after him. <
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>What I didn't like was the gigantic leap of feelings, from Martin to Lucas to Lucas to Martin. In the span of the first few minutes, we learn that Martin likes Lucas, a lot, but the movie gives the impression that it's a first meeting (love at first sight?). Lucas seems to struggle with his feelings for Martin but turns around and makes one gigantic leap into love. Another issue was the lack of clarity as to why Lucas loves Martin so much, besides the illness. I think the movie could have benefited from being longer so as not to obliterate a sense of realness for falling in love, especially with a character who is questioning as much as Lucas does. <
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>What I did like is that Martin is not a completely sympathetic character. So many movies portray the dying as heroes. Martin doesn't take care of himself and he uses his illness to manipulate, something that many people with terminal illnesses do (been there, done that). I also loved the cinematography; it's absolutely gorgeous. Can't give this movie 4 stars but I like it well enough to recommend that you see it.