The Title Says It All!
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/09/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"CONFUSION OF GENDERS is one of those odd Gallic films that mixes angst with social comment, a generous dollop of both heterosexual and homosexual trysts, Gallic humor, and bizarre philosophy - and it does so with considerable panache. While some would categorize this as a cerebral sexual romp, the quality of the film as directed by Ilan Duran Cohen is indeed fast paced but covers more comment about contemporary sexual mores than most.
Alain (Pascal Greggory) is a lawyer working for Laurence (Nathalie Richard), is frankly bisexual, and the two volley the concept of a marriage of convenience. Though Alain is frank with Laurence that he prefers men sexually, he does want a normal life and family. Enter Christophe (Cyrille Thouvenin) a very young lad who prefers older men and within moments Alain is bedding Christophe. Yet he also has a physical liaison with Laurence. Alain is assigned a case of a prisoner up for murder and in visiting Marc (Vincent Martinez) in the prison, Alain is asked to contact Marc's girlfriend Babette (Julie Guyet) to transmit his messages of love - in return for proposed sexual favors for Alain! Alain's interplay with Babette is yet another excursion into exploring relationships.
How these disparate characters intertwine both in and out of bed and the consequences of the acting out the spectrum of sexuality is comical yet also with a tinge of reality that results in life changes for most of the people involved. Each of the actors is excellent and there is enough eye candy for viewers in search of same! And though some may react as though this were a French soap opera for the big screen, there is a lot more food for thought that develops after the final closing scenes. Recommended for those who enjoy double entendres. In French with English subtitles. Grady Harp, November 2004"
Confusion is what I felt!
the avenger | Omaha, NE | 06/13/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"After reading all the reviews, I really was lead to believe that this film was funny and upbeat. Not so! If anything, it was the opposite. Maybe in France this would be considered funny. I don't know and I don't see why. You have a man who I assume is in his late 40's not knowing who he wants to be with and cannot seem to accept is homosexuality. Of course. This seems to be the theme of most gay films or gay love stories. He as usual wants it all, male and female lovers. He even goes so far as to manipulate his female "girlfriend" and convinces her to marry him and he is even "confused" about marrying. Oh well. Anyone confused yet? They even end up having a baby. Poor baby! To be born in this confused mess!! Then he is pursued by a young man who for some unknown reason, is "head over heels " crazy for this guy who is apparently twice his age. The older man at first rejects him and quickly decides he wants the young man who is played by Cyrille Thouvenin. The young man is even willing to let this older creep have his way and says he can have "everything." I was dismayed to see Cyrille in this mess called a film. He seems to take or is only offered parts that are to me without substance. He has much more potential for playing characters with substance whether they are gay or straight. As far as gay films/characters go. He was outstanding and beautiful in Juste une question D'amour along with Stephan Gueran Tillie. I highly recommend this film. As for La Confusion Des Genres, forget it. Not worth the time or your money. You might end up more confused from watching this mess."
Poor Quality Control
J. S. Judd | S ELGIN, IL | 02/05/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"The quality of this DVD is poor. The DVD "froze" during the last ten minutes of the movie. (This happened upon an initial purchase, but also with the subsequent replacement purchase.) Obviously, poor manufacturing and quality control."