very cool skolimowsky double feature on TCM the other night (1/15) kicked off with "Deep End": a tastefully seamy UK film about mismanaged desire that manages to be both tender and sadistic. dig the underlying 70s pseudo-horror vibe, along with the inclusion of soundtrack work by Can.
the film centers around the relationship between a 15 yr old boy (john moulder-brown) and his more-worldly coworker (jan asher) but, really, it's just as much about the effects (and prevalence) of inequality in love, work, money and desire between all genders; and how individuals each need to find their own unique way of coping with temptation and tension lest they go off... the deep end.
the first hour contains a lot of overt, humorous symbolism as the boy is exposed to some rather perverted types at the public bathhouse where the two work along with his first visits to an x-rated movie, swingers club, live sex show and prostitute in a whirlwind chain of events set off by his unchannelled anxieties.
many scenes are laugh-enducing AND kinda humiliating but never at the complete expense of the willing participants.
"you'll find it very educational"
eventually circumstances become more serious (as they generally do over time). much more serious.
TCM usually reruns the films in their underground series at least a couple of times so watch out for Deep End; particularly the lengthy scene in dark soho that is set to Can's "Mother Sky" and eventually leads to multiple visits to... the hot dog stand.
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