MovieChat Forums > Querelle (1982) Discussion > Semi-hard-core

Semi-hard-core

posted 17 years ago by jojo-acapulco
11 replies | jump to latest

Brad Davis is good in the title role of this version of Camus’ sordid story about a French sailor, Querelle, involved in drugs, prostitution and murder. Jeanne Moreau does what she can with a throw-away part and Franco Nero sleepwalks through his role as Querelle’s officer. The supporting cast is mostly wooden and much of the dialogue sounds as if it were being read off tombstones. Filmed on seedy sets in tiresome orange light, Querelle just barely misses being hard-core pornography – which usually employs more attractive and somewhat better actors.

[–] stalkerfreeenvironment 17 years ago

the story is by Jean Genet, not Camus

[–] modica 17 years ago

Semi hardcore? what? I only wish!

[–] Chris_Docker 17 years ago

Yep. It's Genet. It's def not hardcore. The language is very explicit, but quite relevant to the themes it explores, as when Breillat discusses such things (from a heterosexual p.o.v. and in a hetero context). It is 'shocking' to anyone who thinks a man-on-man kiss is shocking, but the film is aimed more at cineastes than mainstream filmgoers. It's also an iconic film for gay audiences who will enjoy it without bothereing to take on board the depth of meaning or the fierce cinematic experimentalism.

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[–] damianjb1 16 years ago

I must say I'm surprised to hear it called semi-pornographic. You don't see one penis do you?
It's an unusual film and definitely for the art-house crowd rather than main stream audiences.
Considering it's 26yo it's held up quite well.

[–] ghbbrown 16 years ago

The OP would probably be happier sticking with something like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, where there's not the hint of a willy, no men kising or admitting to a taste for being *beep* and the acting is so much more "real" and not stylized, as in Greek drama.

I don't particularly enjoy any of Genet's writing, but this was about as close to enjoyable as I'm likely to find.It is sad, funny, unconventional and erotic--but way far from being porn.

[–] tristanrobin 16 years ago

I agree, it's far from pornography.
But, just for the record, there is quite a bit of men kissing in the film.

[–] SeisCinemaSeis 15 years ago

Epic Fail! Querelle feels like a tour by the Kidergarden in comparison with Shortbus or Caligula.

This film IMO deserves no more than a R rating. Being prudish, NC-17

[–] roto13 13 years ago

The tone of this movie is very much like a vintage gay porn movie, but the few sex scenes are very, very tame. Come on, they keep all of their clothes on. It's not eve close to "semi-hard-core."

[–] apreason 13 years ago

it's porn for soul

[–] porsche1974-1 12 years ago

Agreed. It is porn for the soul.
If there is anything outstanding about this film, I would say that it is
the Art Direction.

'Let's eat Grandma!' or, 'Let's eat, Grandma!' Punctuation saves lives. Use it. Save a life.

[–] preppy-3 12 years ago

Wait a minute! There's no nudity and no guy on guy kissing???? I've never seen it but past descriptions made it sound like it was VERY explicit! I was gonna buy it just to see Franco Nero and Brad Davis nude but what's the point now?