Customer Reviews

Testosterone

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Testosterone was only very, very loosely based upon the novel of the same name, and if you are a died-in-the-wool James Robert Baker fan, you'll be somewhat disappointed by the differences. That said, the movie is excellent in its own right.

The characters are quirky and although the viewer doesn't truly realize it until the last moment, each and every one of them has his or her own agenda which is ruthlessly pursued throughout. You'll find yourself wanting to watch the movie again just so you can fit the actions into context once all is revealed.

The central character of the film, Dean, strikes one as a typical I-want-immediate-gratification-shallow-American who is glued to his American Express card (note to potential machete wielding jilted lovers: don't pay for your machete with your credit card) until near the end of the film. He doesn't seem to care how much he is disrupting the lives of those he encounters or how much he inconveniences them. Granted, he's love lorn and trying desperately to find Pablo, who he believes to be the love of his life that has been spirited away by his evil mama for purposes best known to her.

Finding a lost lover in a Spanish speaking country when you have problems ordering a beer there, tends to be problematic. You end up relying on the kindness of strangers. And Dean finds no shortage of strangers that are more than willing to help him. If they are, in fact, being kind is something you'll discover when you watch the movie.

The cast is generally attractive and there is a fair amount of appealing flesh on display, but you'll find yourself more interested in the intricate plot within a plot within a plot by the latter half of the movie. Forget the fraction-of-a-second full frontal of the undies model as a selling point. There is more, less contrived, nudity on offer, and frankly, you really won't care once you become enveloped by the film's tensions.

I won't go into the plot, because a great deal of the fun of the movie is watching it unfold. I will say that you should watch every last minute of it, even when you think it's over. There is a surprise at the end that will make you rethink a lot of what you thought you already knew.

Enjoy the movie!

TESTOSTERONE as directed by David Moreton based on a novel by the same name by the late (and much lamented) James Robert Baker is a major breakthrough in Hollywood cinema. This is a film about gay romance and passion treated like a major feature film instead of a low budget, art house only, shadowed `alternative lifestyle' movie. What a relief to see a story that is not sugar coated or desultory or tragically bleak: gay characters of all types people TESTOSTERONE and there is not a stereotype in the film.

Essentially the story concerns a passionate two-week love affair (very cleverly introduced in the titles by comic book type characters - a suggestion of the class act that is to follow) between Dean (David Sutcliffe in a major role at last!) who successfully creates comic books and Pablo (Antonio Sabato, Jr. in a wonderfully open, nude, passionate physical performance) who is a sex addict.

Pablo `disappears' one evening while out for cigarettes and Dean's stable, successful, and sexually satisfying world suddenly explodes. Dean's search for Pablo results in a frightening encounter with Pablo's mother (the always terrific Sonia Braga) who haughtily tells him Pablo has returned to his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Dean hops on a plane to Buenos Aires and begins his search for Pablo, encountering a waitress Sofia (Celine Font, an excellent actress) and a strange `stalker' Marcos (a brilliant and sensual Leonardo Brzezicki) who Dean later discovers are brother and sister. Marcos comes on to Dean and there is more steamy passion at hand until Marcos tells Dean he is an ex-lover of Pablo. Dean is helped by a bellhop Guillermo (another terrific introduction of a fine looking Latin actor - Dario Dukah), by Sofia, by Marcos (who has agenda all his own) and ultimately by Pablo's mother who has returned from Los Angeles to her home in Buenos Aires.

At this point some `truths' are uncovered and a taste of revenge and intrigue begin to enter an otherwise comic mood: the ending unwinds in a way that should be seen, not related (`All's fair in love and war').

All of the actors are first class: it is so refreshing to see real professional male actors unafraid to be filmed in nude sexual encounters between men. Jennifer Coolidge as Dean's boss Louise adds enormously to the quality of comedy. The cinematography is lush and atmospheric and the musical score by Marco D'Ambrosio has the undertone of lilting tango rhythms that propels the story well. A FIRST CLASS FILM that deserves a wide audience, an audience that will please not only the large gay contingent eager to see their stories treated seriously but also the general who love excellent caper films laced with comedy and style.

What a thundering disappointment. Fans of the book will be outraged by this dire adaption. And Antonio Sabato Jr. fans must not get their hopes up: despite the hoopla over his full frontal nude scene, it lasts a flickering second (have that pause button handy). Additionally, he gives a stilted, one-note performance. Shockingly, the film was co-adapted for the screen by Dennis Hensley, a frequent celebrity interviewer and author of the witty books "Misadventures in the (213)" and "Screening Party"; none of his humor is present here. Also missing is the book's edge and sense of urgency; the film plays more like a plodding drama. Save yourself time and money and look for your entertainment value elsewhere.

DAVID SUTCLIFFE WAS THE SAVING GRACE OF THIS MOVIE. ACTUALLY ALL THE ACTORS WERE GOOD, BUT DAVID SHONE. HE WAS WRYLY FUNNY AND EXTREMELY HANDSOME. FORGET ANTONIO SABATO, JR., DAVID SUTCLIFFE HAS THAT APPROACHABLE LOOK AND SINCERITY THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO BELIEVE IN HIM. GREAT PLOT AND LOCATION SHOOTING. YOU COULD TELL THIS MOVIE HAD MUCH HIGHER PRODUCTION VALUES THAN MOST GAY MOVIES. THE EXTRAS WERE FUN TOO. JUST SIT BACK AND RELAX WITH THIS ENJOYABLE CAPER......

I kinda liked Testosterone. Wonderful setting, cool graphics, and great acting - especially Sabato and Font impressed me. However, it has a flat feel to it, and the script could be tighter. The lost American in a foreign country was well depicted, even though I lacked the intensity that was needed in Sutcliffe's growing obsession. He just looked cute to me - no offense.
The ending is quite confusing, and the alternate one in the deleted scenes is really bent (refreshingly so), but all in all, a solid 3 stars.

This movie is Gigli BAD. I'm trying to imagine in my mind why talented women like Sonia Braga and Jennifer Coolidge would take these roles? The script is poor, the acting is bad, the ending is just plain dumb.
I expected to see Antonio Sabato Jr in a starring role, but he's in the first minute of the film and then he appears in the very end. I think he was trying to do an Argentenian accent but it sounded very amateurish. Like any gay man, I've been in love with Antonio since Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do" video. I mean, I wanted to like this movie, but....
The things that happen in this movie, are not beleiveable. Dean goes looking in Argentina for his boyfriend Pablo (He pronounces it Pahh-blow, grrr)who has up and left him with no explanation. He tries to get Pablo's mom (Sofia Braga) to help him find Pablo (Antonio Sabato), but she won't. So he asks a waitress "Sofia" across the street if she has any info. At first she claims not to speak English and declares the store is closed. Then we find out she is fluent in English and she wants to help him. He meets a Hot and Sexy "fan" Marcus, oh yeah Dean is a comic book writer, and they end up getting it on...until Marcos spills that he knows Pablo, they used to "F*** for 2 1/2 years." The movie just gets worse and worse. Marcos wants to kill Dean, we're not sure why. Dean ends up kissing Pablo's mom in a wierd break in, he also ends up kissing Sofia...WHAT?! I would have fast forwarded this movie, except there is no "Closed Captioning."
If you're crazy about Antonio, rent this movie, if not SKIP it.

Just seeing a film with Sonia Braga all drama'd out and dolled up for "those looks" was worth getting this movie. She does stormy-'n'-indignant deliciously well.

My one HUGE regret is that the music isn't available on CD as a soundtrack! It is so glorious, especially when the main character gets to Buenos Aires. I hope they get the soundtrack out. It is extraordinary. (It was the first thing I looked for here on Amazon.com after I saw it.) I would love to have it. (The music gets all five stars!!)

That said, the movie played out like a dream would, with Dean (David Sutcliffe) searching obsessively - as someone who is caught in a dream would - for the lover who evaporated from his life: Pablo (Antonio Sabato, Jr.).

It reminded me very much of dream, when you'll do anything to find the one you are looking for...and get distracted...at times...on the way.

(Smoldering eyes are not on short supply in the film.)

Like most indie movies, this film would've looked alot better in the cinema (had it been shown here). The transfer of both the sound and vision were so mediocre that it was almost like watching a bootlegged version of the film's original DVD. The DVD cover art could really use some proper redesigning as well.

Because of the low quality transfer and the lack of any English subtitles, I ended up having to rewind some of the heavily accented lines, which gave me a bad first impression of the movie. A second watch was definately more enjoyable and believable, even though every man in this movie looked as if they fell off the cover of a GQ magazine.

Taking away all the (ridiculous) sexual situations/scenes, the acting was good, the presentation and direction of the film was somewhat decent (in a fantasy world of an infuriated ex-lover); putting the bad video transfer aside, I would recommend any fan of David Sutcliffe to give this movie a try (Antonio S. Jr. had less screen time than all the female characters combined), if just to pass a lazy sunday afternoon.

The men cast are hot, hot! Too bad we didn't get to see more of the bellboy in action. With all seriousness, I found myself drifting in parts wondering where else could this story have gone to make it more interesting and believable. I didn't see the significance of Sofia's character but enjoyed Pablo's Argentian boyfriend's (Sofia's brother) involvment in the story. What I didn't get was why his character committed suicide when he appeared so confident and cocky before his death. Maybe it was because he was expected to kill Dean and couldn't do it? That part of the plot was a little confusing. However, stepping into Dean's character, I can understand the obsession of wanting unanswered questions answered when a lover walks out on you with no explanation because I have been there. If you have ever been in a sitution like this, you may appreciate the movie more than others. That was the driving force of me renting. Not to mention seeing Saboto Jr. naked and him being intimate with another man. Coolidge is great and the comic strip at the beginning was amusing as well! Not the greatest gay themed movie ever but FAIRLY good on the obsession with another human being level.

Testosterone was a hot topic film for one reason: Antonio Sabato Jr. exposes himself full frontal. It is not the reason that you should watch this film.
Dean (David Sutcliffe) and Pablo (Antonio Sabato Jr.) are lovers as the film begins. Pablo disappears and Dean is beside himself. He doesn't know where Pablo is. He goes to Argentina where he suspects Pablo has gone. This should all be quite intriguing and largely it is. However, just why he thinks Pablo is there is not explained.

Why he is so determined to get Pablo back is never explained (the oh-so-ever-lightly-touched-upon-answer is that Pablo was Dean's muse for his art, but that is never really spelled out well enough). From the cut away shots that we see, it is not apparent that they were deeply devoted and in love - it is alluded to that they were hot lovers, but that is all.

Why does Dean know Pablo's mother so well, and yet she completely refuses to circumvent the actions that take place in this film by merely speaking to Dean?

Why did Pablo actually go back to Argentina? (it is alluded that he did so because his family is powerful, but we don't see evidence of this being the reason) Later Pablo weds Sofia for what we are told is a marriage of convenience. Is he expected to take over the family business and thus cannot do so unless he is "straight" or married? What's up?

Pablo is apparently from a powerful enough family that he orders Dean to be killed. Or did he?

The ending of the film provides us with a possible resolution to the whole film that is somewhat satisfying, but it is only in watching the DVD extras that we get the true satisfaction of realizing that we are correct in our assumption (and sadly it is as a result of a bit of poorly done humor that was wisely excised from the final cut of the film).

The film is long on mood and is really quite intriguing in that it keeps you guessing and wondering what is to come next, even if it is more of the same. I like a film where I am not sure of the motivations of the characters. It's fun to be kept guessing. However, after all the guessing games, I want a laid out solution. This film gives you a final answer, but it leaves you wondering why about so many other things that it isn't quite satifying.
The acting is fine and the setting, and script are really good too. This feels like a studio picture and not an independent film. I've seen studio pictures that were far far worse. This is not a bad film. I do recommend it, however, if you can figure out why Pablo is so cagey - please email me and tell me.