While some might quote the marketing headline, “Come Undone is a sexually charged and intelligent French film about two young guys in love - plenty of nudity, sex and substance!” ah think this ol’ Suthen Belle is goan to reveal her inner feathahz … Ah really don’t understay-und French films. Thay-uh always so … so … boring. So much “day-in-the-life” style and not enough DRAMA. An this queen needs her drama. Yes. Ta is a victim of American movie pablum.

Gorgeous bronzed bodies on the beaches of southern France and a passionate romance between two French teens are reason enough to see Come Undone, but this bittersweet film also has something poignant to say about the heartbreak of gay first love. Eighteen-year-old Mathieu (Jérémie Elkaïm) is vacationing at the beach with his family when he meets local teen Cedric (Stéphane Rideau, from Wild Reeds). After an extremely erotic kiss, the boys begin a hot and heavy affair, complete with skinny-dipping at night, nude dancing on the beach and intense lovemaking in the dunes. Yet as Mathieu grapples with his sexuality — and copes with his sick mother, absent father and annoying kid sister — his bond with Cedric grows stronger until it bursts. The film, directed and co-written by Sébastien Lifshitz, beautifully conveys Mathieuâ€^TMs coming-of-age — a scene in which he comes out to his mother is quite moving. Our only criticism of Come Undone is the slightly clumsy time frame change - minor in comparison to the riches the film has to offer. Both Elkaïm and Rideau are incredibly sexy leads and give remarkable performances as the affectionate teens. (French with English subtitles)

2000, 100 min

A.K.A.: Presque Rien

Country: France

Studio: Picture This! Home Video

Cast: Stéphane Rideau, Jérémie Elkaïm, Dominique Reymond, Marie Matheron, Laetitia Legrix, Nils Ohlund

Director: Sebastien Lifshitz