This was so reminiscent of the coolest aspects of 80's romantic angst, set in L.A. The music was intoxicating and addictive if you like a sort of Tangerine Dream soundtrack, which I do.
The classic moped, the street scenes with no people or traffic. It created that mythical quality of early 80's L.A. when it was still white and neon, and still the portal to young men's dreams. They even have a young white couple living in central Los Angeles, like they used to in real life.
I've never heard of or seen the lead actor, but he was perfectly cast. He reminds me of a young Beau Bridges in Your Three Minutes are Up. The musical moments when he's on his moped last just the right amount of time and leave you craving more.
But there's a deeper theme here for those thinkers who wonder what it was all about. They drew a clear picture, but you may have gotten lost in the dreamlike qualities.
This young man had been smothered. First by his mother, then by his girlfriend's mother, and finally by a slightly psychotic "cougar." He had no confidence, and no fight in him. He had been fully emasculated and barely able to function in the world.
Often those types lose themselves in dreams they can't fulfill, because they don't have the strength or courage to do so.
The scenes with the older woman will make you squirm. This guy may be 30 in real life, but he looked very innocent, as he was supposed to. Call it a double standard, but that kind of thing when the woman is older creeps me out. It almost ruined it for me.
In My Tutor in 1983, the woman was relatively young, and could not be the character's mother.
The hotel manager character was also perfectly cast. Even his gay glance at our protagonist was done with perfect subtlety. I will search for the soundtrack, but will not give it another watch, due to the creepy sex thing. But nice job by the Schwartzmans nevertheless.
