Food of Love (2002)
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins
Theatrical Release: Oct 25, 2002 Limited
Synopsis: Paul, a handsome and talented music student is employed as the page-turner at one of the world famous pianist Kennington's concerts in San Francisco. Not only is Paul diligent but also extremely attractive, a fact noticed by Kennington and his agent Mansourian, two men at the top of their... Paul, a handsome and talented music student is employed as the page-turner at one of the world famous pianist Kennington's concerts in San Francisco. Not only is Paul diligent but also extremely attractive, a fact noticed by Kennington and his agent Mansourian, two men at the top of their chosen careers. Kennington and Paul meet again in Barcelona, where the boy is on holiday with his mother, Pamela, who is trying to get over her husband leaving her. Paul and Kennington fall in love but this has very different implications for both men. Kennington rushes back home escaping from commitment. Pamela, meanwhile, begins to recover her self-confidence but Paul is no longer a child. Back in the United States Paul learns that his musical career is not going to progress as desired; he simply is not talented enough. Paul and Pamela will learn through their living experience how to build a deeper relationship. Food of love is the story of these two simple characters awakening to the harsh reality of life. -- TLA Releasing [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Kevin Bishop, Paul Rhys, Juliet Stevenson, Allan Corduner, Geraldine McEwan
DVD Info
Release:
May 27, 2003
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Additional Release Material:
- Documentary
- Interview
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
An average coming-of-age tale elevated by the wholesome twist of a pesky mother interfering during her son's discovery of his homosexuality.
Young star Kevin Bishop plays the confused Paul with enough soul to sustain a movie that sometimes comes on like an ersatz training manual for parents of gay kids.
This is mild-mannered, been-there material given a pedestrian spin by a director who needed a touch of the flamboyant, the outrageous.
Despite Juliet Stevenon's attempt to bring cohesion to Pamela's emotional roller coaster life, it is not enough to give the film the substance it so desperately needs.
The performances and tight direction from Ventura Pons keep the film from descending into cheap melodrama.
The principals in this cast are all fine, but Bishop and Stevenson are standouts.
Based on a David Leavitt story, the film shares that writer's usual blend of observant cleverness, too-facile coincidence and slightly noxious preciousness.
How can such a cold movie claim to express warmth and longing? In truth, it has all the heart of a porno flick (but none of the sheer lust).
It's the extra layer that makes this one, the movie's understanding of how disillusion and inner compromise can gradually separate a young artist from his divine spark.
I suspect that there are more interesting ways of dealing with the subject.
An elegant work, Food of Love is as consistently engaging as it is revealing.


Top Critic