Is Man of Desire Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1971)

📖 The Core Premise

Man of Desire returns to the screen in 1971, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A man reevaluates his life. Étienne, a married writer, gives a lift to a young hitchhiker called Rudy who is mixed up with a gang of thugs. Étienne takes a liking to Rudy and brings him home, where a strong homoerotic attraction soon develops between them. Étienne also tries to extricate Rudy from his dangerous life in the streets, and seems ready to go to any lengths to achieve this goal.."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Emmanuelle Riva feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Man of Desire worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Man of Desire misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 100 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.