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Encore (French) [Once More]

This French film follows the lives of its characters over a period of 10 years from 1978 to 1988. The film has romance, coming out, incest, AIDS epidemic, liberation etc. Apparently the film was shot in flat 10 days, which shows in its stage like sets and a play kind of feeling to it.

Louis is a married man with their daughter. His wife has a very high libido and it seems Louis has some sort of relationship going on with his daughter as well. He has had enough and he gets separated from his wife. His life goes on and he meets a man Franz with whom he has his first gay encounter. Immediately he falls in love but Franz is not interested. His literal words are "You have a husband’s eyes. I don’t want to be a wife." Heartbroken Louis starts cruising men and before you know he is sleeping with everyone, including a couple of females as well. He has started to get a reputation of being a good lay. Eventually one night while cruising, he meets a man who is more interested in him as a person than just a quick hook up. They start dating but soon Louis is diagnosed with AIDS and he eventually dies.

The film moves at a very fast pace, so much so that it really never gives you an opportunity to invest emotionally into its characters. I am not sure why they had to show an incest angle, but to didn't add much to the story, except showing how messed up Louis' life was. It was all over the place from being a husband, father, coming out, sleeping around with men and eventually finding love towards the fag end of his life. Quite colorful I must say. The film is actually quite old, so I won't be surprised if it is one of those earlier films that talked about AIDS in general and bring into the focus of government. The film with its decent acting and ld style storytelling may not be everyone's cup of tea, but its not bad. It just hasn't aged well and probably doesn't hold much meaning or entertainment for today's time. (4/10)

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