eastern boys - immigrants from ukraine, russia, romania, etc
this film opens with views down onto gare du nord station in paris
there's a gang of them hovering, jostling, teasing, moving around
we are like voyeurs on the scene - expecting to see some crime
but nothing obvious - then daniel - kevin spacey lookalike enters
he catches the eye of one of the boys - follows him and then talks
this the first bit of dialogue in the film - 15 minutes in - bonjour
marek promptly offers he will do anything - 50 euros - your place?
address handed over - crikey - is this guy stupid - or maybe desperate
next day at the agreed time there's a knock at the door but not marek
another of the gang enters, then another and then all of them are inside
make themselves comfortable, loud music, dancing and then stripping
of all his possessions - they are one by one taken to a waiting van
this under instruction of 'the boss' who presents as a bit of a tough guy
very lean, tattooed, fit and border psycho - seen laying into one of his own
daniel realises there is no point calling the police and basically rolls over
next day another knock at the door - this time marek - the deal is on
daniel then proceeds to seduce marek - he takes the money and bolts
the pattern repeats itself and emotions start to make an appearance
we are well entrenched in a film that seems to want to challenge us
but gay sex was done is a much more open way in shortbus way back
here it just drags on rather tiresomely before the next act kicks in
daniel wants to 'adopt' marek but his papers are locked up at his hotel
it is an el-cheapo with a floor rented by the govt to house immigrants
the action relocates to the hotel where the gang and family are living
marek shows up there first and manages to steal keys from 'the boss'
those keys to the safe (locker) where his precious papers are held
but caught in the act so he is beaten, bound, gagged and locked up
but daniel to the rescue - checks into the hotel in an adjoining room
but he's known by the gang so has to be very discreet with movements
and so it goes - all a bit cloak and dagger-ish - and not very enthralling
in the end (phew) the gang gets busted - daniel goes to court with marek
the outcome not stated but they are seen walking off into the sunset
well at least a metaphorical one - the proverbial happy ending it is
the film heading towards 3 hours long and a mixed message
maybe illegal immigrants - eastern boys - are bad news
or - older man / young boy in love is normal and ok
whatever - it's a pretty average film at best - pass
