This is basically the story of a young man (Yannick Renier), who is haunted by childhood memories of his father's suicide and mother's subsequent mental breakdown. He is traveling to the south of France/north of Spain on an ominous mission that involves his mother and the gun his late father used to commit suicide. At the beginning of the story he already has two traveling companions, a brother and sister (Theo Frilet, Lea Seydoux). The uncertain sexuality of the protagonist is established in the opening scene where Seydoux's character does a very sexy striptease for him (that would have any man who's NOT very. very gay visibly aroused), but with no effect. He is more drawn to the brother, who is openly gay, but clearly he is sexually confused. A fourth person then joins the group, a handsome hitch-hiker (Pierre Perrier), who becomes a love/sexual interest for the nymphomaniacal sister (even though she is ALREADY pregnant when the movie begins). But this new additional too seems to have some bisexual leanings.The combination of melancholy flashbacks, beautiful scenery, and gay and straight sexual encounters kind of reminds me of "My Own Private Idaho". This isn't in the same class as that one(although some might consider it less pretentious since it doesn't break into Shakespeare in the middle). It's certainly a "gay-interest" film, but just like the French tend to make "teen films" that also appeal for adults, they tend to make "gay-interest films that also appeal to straight people (thus the presence of the tres luscious Lea Seydoux). This is necessary, of course, because the French film industry is much smaller than the Hollywood industry and their films need to find a more general audience, but it sometimes causes problems in America. "Blue is the Warmest Color", a more recent gay-themed film (also with Seydoux) was rejected by some segments of the American lesbian community because they felt the actresses and the sex scenes catered too much to heterosexual male fantasies. But is it really a good thing for ALL films about homosexuality to be relegated to some "gay interest" ghetto where they cater to the gay "community", but are not seen by anyone else? That's a valid question.It is a little ridiculous how incredibly attractive EVERYONE in this movie is. If Seydoux wasn't in this, I would have been seriously questioning my own sexuality since the three males in this are the three best-looking guys you're ever likely to see in each other's presence. The gay sex scenes in this are all pretty essential to the plot, but I'm not so sure about the three-way, nude Greco-Roman wrestling match the males all engage in during a beach party. But, of course, you could also say that about the striptease scene or the one straight sex scene. People will complain about "gratuitous" nudity, but no one complains that a shot of, say, a beautiful sunset is "gratuitous" just because it doesn't strictly advance the plot. The bigger problem is that Renier and other males are not the strongest actors in France, and Seydoux has been a lot better in movies like "Sister", "Farewell My Queen" and the aforementioned "Blue is the Warmest Color". This is definitely not a great movie, but it's certainly an ATTRACTIVE one giving the cast and the beautiful scenery of southern France. And it's quite accessible as far a "gay-interest" cinema goes.

Without being a driven action movie, this is an everyday story-film made interesting, without getting any of the answers. It's well done, the film work and photography, and there's a lingering underneath which makes you follow trough. If you're not searching for an action flick, that is.Young man Sam is still traumatized and maybe a tiny bit suicidal after seeing his father committing suicide while he was watching, struggling with his mother going insane as a result of her husbands death, following a row in their car. More than 15 years later Sam goes down south, to try to find his mother, together with some friends, without telling them what he's up to. On the way we since some affection between some of the four of them, a girl which has become pregnant and her brother, and another friend they pick up.It's a pleasant summery tale, where we are offered no solution or even a climax. We just almost there. I find that this makes the film interesting. More like real life. It's one of those films making you think, and remembering some of your own summer memories along life's rich pageant. Some might get disappointed by not getting the solutions, and an exact happy ending, but I find liking films which don't give all the answers, but leaves some to each and one of us, and our imagination.I haven't seen any other work of Director Sebastien Lifshitz, and when I realize this is the film of his that has the lowest score, I can't expect him to be nothing less than an interesting director. I'm sure to be on the look for more from his hands. Can't decide if this is a 6 or a 7 out of 10, and then I tend to go down. Still, it's worth watching if you like a story which doesn't give it all away.

I would have to agree with the reviewer who judged "Plen Sud" as regressive as far as the work of director Sebastian Lifshitz goes. "The Wild Side" was a fine film and "Presque Rien" simply outstanding."Plein Sud" has the feeling of a director out of control and worse a director devoid of vision. The film ambles, has unnecessary musical interludes and is imbued with an off putting vagueness of intention.Where the film fails most is the lack of chemistry between the players especially between the Yannick Renier and Theo Frilet characters. Liftshitz's previous films abounded with a sense of genuine feeling between the characters. Remove that from a film and not much remains.There are shots on the beach which are replicas from "Presque Rien" - and in my book that is not a good sign.There are films which exude a sense of everything going right - sadly, "Plein Sud" is the flip side.

.......despite a "seemingly" happy-go-lucky Quartet of early to mid-20s Guys + a Gal heading South to carefree, sunny ocean shores. (BUT, wait....there's plenty of darkness ahead, and let's just say it starts with a bang).(( A HURT SO LARGE....SO DEEP.......you close yourself off.....nearly close yourself down ))Here's my "Brief-Take" on this 2009 production from France (only slight spoilers included): The main plot line of this story stems from an horrific, early childhood, traumatic event.....one which we learn of early on in the film.Added to what you were just told, this tale also gives us: Mental illness....family breakup....out of wedlock pregnancy....suicide....absence of parental love....and a killer Glock----you name it and it's probably here.It takes a little viewing time to realize that this story is, intrinsically, about only one of our Quartet: And Yannick Renier, as darkly brooding and angst ridden Sam works wonders with the part----this is his movie (I'm looking for more of his DVD work). Still, Nicole Garcia, as "Mom" really shines in her small role, particularly at this work's conclusion. This pair's end of film scene together wrenches us, as they talk of their past relationship: deep unhappiness having pervaded it. Yet.....we come to perceive there seems the barest hope of a turnaround----something that is the only thing that might save either one of them.Sex scenes, you're wondering? (thought you'd never ask). Both a heterosexual one, as well as a long-time-getting-there love on the beach tumble between Renier's character and another Quartet member, well played by **Theo Frilet. Though dimly lit, this is still an excitingly amorous scene.Finally, a look at the Closing we're given----a waterside scene which, perhaps, becomes an attempt to wash away years of sadness, disappointment and unhappiness.PS--There is a "Moral" to this tale.....and it's simply: Don't always follow in Dad's Footsteps---or Mom's, either, for that matter.I will be keeping this in my DVD library for every so often rewatching.....but for those of you looking for more "gay content," perhaps a video rental will do.**(for you watchers of small, gay films, you may remember him from 2006's "A Summer Day").