I've watched this movie two days ago and it's still the only thing I can think about. Since I'm not familiar with director nor writer, I can't compare this masterpiece to their other work, but I refuse to believe you can do any better than this.
I enjoyed every second of the controversial 20-minut scene. I think it's far away from pornography, although it's quite explicit, it's a modern age avangarda, artistically and tastefully put together. I love that there is no intruduction to that scene like walking toward the club, we just suddenly find ourselves underground, in the middle of a gay orgy. I've watched so many gay movies and movies in general, and I have never in my life seen something so extraordinary. The only director who can come close to this is Gaspar Noe in his Irreversible when it comes to showing things the way they are, and we have to appreciate their courage. Scene is enchanting, all the redness makes it more erotic and the atmosphere is calming, you can feel their pleasure. Naked male bodies are aesthetically pleasing, genlty wrapping around one another or just standing and enjoying themselves watching the scene in front of them. Pleasure they give to each other gives us pleasure while watching. Those man are regular people with regular jobs, like two of our main caracters, you see them every day, jet at night they are ''making love and contributing to humankind'' to paraphrase Hugo. That's a unique way to describe an orgy, and when you think about it you have to agree.
When Hugo and Theo finally got together you are able to feel they are made for eachother. Two complete strangers experiencing catharsis thouching one another, appreciating every part of themselves and the other one. Now everything around stops, camera is directly focused on them and in front of us is a long scene of vulnerability and self-conciousnes, exposure with a mistical scent.
I won't write about the rest of the movie, don't want to give any spoilers about what's about to happen, just wanted to share my appreciation for the director and his courage to make such a scene. Truly unforgetable.
