Too Much Flesh is a French film written and directed by and starring
Jean-Marc Barr. The cinematographer also shares writing and directing credits.
Lyle (Jean-Marc Barr) is 35, and has been married to his wife (Rosanna
Arquette) for years, but they have never consummated their marriage. The
marriage was arranged, and we gradually learn how this strange relationship
came about. An early girlfriend of his spread the rumor that his pecker was
way too big, and he believed her as a young man. This "killer cock" rumor gave
Arquette all the excuse she needed for staying true to her true love, who died
in an accident.
Then enter Barr's best friend, returning to the small Illinois town a
successful writer with a French girl (Elodie Bouchez) in tow. It comes as some
surprise when Barr starts banging Bouchez, but then we learn that her "fiance"
is gay. Barr is happy, as he now knows his pecker won't kill his wife, but she
still wants none of him. Barr and Bouchez make great use of their time, but
the good Christian town folk will not tolerate this overt sinning.
I believe the film is meant to show how close-minded and restrictive rural
Christian society can be, and to argue in favor of pleasure and happiness. I
found it rather slow and obvious, but then European pace is often much slower
than American film, and Bouchez and Barr sold the carnal relationship and the
idea that it was good clean fun. At least it is not the same old Hollywood
formula.
If you are not familiar with our grading system, you need to
read the
explanation, because the grading is not linear. For example, by
our definition, a
C is solid and a C+ is a VERY good movie. There are very few Bs
and As. Based on our descriptive system, this film is a:
C
A competent European art film made in America. It has a very
small potential audience.
