Slow but absorbing character study of a rich lonely, repressed man obsessed with the beauty he cannot possess (sexually) so sublimating in all sorts of ways. Norman Kaye is sympathetic as the hero, so it is a bit surprising when he shows a nasty side at the end. The other performers are fine too, but the view of modern art as empty and opportunistic is a bit too one sided, and the character of the bad artist played by Chris Haywood therefore comes across as a caricature. However, the locations and interiors are beautifully shot, and the music by Donizetti effectively used. The use of super 8 to show Bremer's memories work well, and the actors who play his mum and dad (Werner Herzog) are most memorable. The whole film reminds one of Herzog's films - take for instance the postman's character; and perhaps Greenaway's too - the erotic bits, and shock end. In fact it seem to be an early example of the quirkiness so many Australian films would fixate on later.
Review of Man of Flowers
