The
Adventures of Felix (2001) (AKA "Drole
de Felix")
Every so often, the marketing folks at major Hollywood
distributors like to refer to characters who "happen
to be gay." For example, when the folks at Mirimax were
trying to figure out how to market the severely disgusting
and homophobic "Talented Mr. Ripley," they described
the main character as a serial killer "who happens to
be gay." Nothing could be further from the truth. Ripley's
homosexuality is part of his "personality disorder."
It's a repugnant film. He doesn't "happen to be gay."
The writers and filmmakers made a direct, conscious
decision to make him gay. My point here, although I
have allowed myself to get sidetracked, is that "The
Adventures of Felix" is one of the few films I've ever
seen about a main character who just "happens to be
gay." This film would probably have worked just as well
- and surely played out almost the same, if Felix were
heterosexual. But the fact that he is gay makes the
story ever so much more charming and likeable.
For what it's worth, Felix also has AIDS or is, at
least, HIV positive. Again, this is a character who
just "happens to be positive." This fact has zero bearing
on plot or story but it's a nice touch that Felix is
simply a man living with the condition. It gives him
a fullness of character, helps us to care for him, and
gives the film a note of seriousness. Yet, by making
it a simple matter of fact, the filmmakers do not set-up
the piece to not wallow in any angst or depression.
The film begins, strangely, almost seeming comically
Fassbinderian. Felix is a dark complexioned, young man
who is living in France. His gets laid off from his
job working on a ferry boat and goes home to his white
male lover, a seemingly older schoolteacher. They are
happy together.
Felix has never met his father and in a very typical
storyline, he sets off on a cross-country journey to
find the man. As the film unfolds, we learn that Felix
has no ill will toward the man and simply wants to "see"
him. This is really unremarkable and works only to serve
the need of getting Felix out on the road where he will
meet several interesting characters.
After it's opening, the film is divided into five
parts, with titles appearing on the screen which describes
each of the characters Felix meets on the road. There
is "My Little Brother," "My Grandmother," "My Cousin,"
"My Sister" and "My Father." Each of these segments
is wonderfully soaked in delightful character development
and interesting stories. One can not bear to chose any
one of these segments as the best part of the film because
each is wonderfully charming and rewarding in it's own
way. Felix's stay with a young gay man in the first
of these gives the film an erotic edge on a coming of
age moment. Then the film moves directly in the opposite
end to find Felix meeting one of the most charming aged
ladies, played by the fantastic Patachou, ever to grace
the screen. There are the lush and loving moments with
another man, which somehow do not play against Felix's
loving relationship with the schoolteacher and then
the truly emotional and open scenes with a mother of
three youngst ers. Each and every one of these segments
has vast and diverse moments of real human emotion and
depth. And charm. Oh this film just oozes with wonderful
chemistry and charm. As Felix, Sami Bouajila simply
works magic to draw us into the story and in to his
character. He's fantastic. And he works perfectly with
every other actor cast in the piece.
"The Adventures of Felix" ends with one of the most
loving gay moments ever to grace the screen. This film
is simply one of the freshest and most delightful gay
film to ever be released. It's breezy plot, unique yet
universal characters and lack of darkness will surprise
and delight even the most jaded film viewers.
Note:
In French with subtitles.
The French title "Drole de Felix" actually translates
to "Funny Felix."
Written and directed by Olivier Ducastel and Jasques
Martineu, who also made "Jeanne and the Perfect Guy."
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Report
Card
Script:
A+
Acting: A+
Cinematography\Lighting: A+
Special Effects\Make Up:A+
Music: A+
Final
Grade: A+
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