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There is one very funny frontal nude scene where
Matthew has found a sexy polaroid of Isabelle
and stuffed it inside his underpants, which she
discovers while seducing him! Naturally they run out of funds, start eating
from the trash and raiding their father's excellent
wine cellar. The movie loses its way for a short
time at this point, especially when Isabelle
tries to gas the two passed-out boys by opening
up the stovepipe. They are saved by a rock through
the window thrown by a demonstrating student.
There is a mass political protest underway, and
they all rush off to join in, bringing the film
to a close. 
Another weak part of the story is the parents
returning unexpectedly, finding their house a
shambles and the three kids passed out. What
do they do? Merely leave them another check and
leave quietly. Even though the father and mother
were probably ex-hippies themselves, it strains
one's credibility. Having said all this, the
movie is a visual and sensual delight. Eva Green
who has the face of a young Isabelle Adjani with
a much more voluptuous body, is a revelation
(not surprisingly I hear she is booked solid
with film roles for the next two years as every
director wants to work with her!). She has the
wide-eyed innocence of a young woman experiencing
new sexual experiences for the first time, but
there is also an indefinable maturity about her,
and she has no reservations in showing off her
incredible body. This is well matched by Michael
Pitt – first seen as the good-looking nerdy half
of the student killer team in MURDER BY NUMBERS
with Sandra Bullock. He has the pouty lips and
angelic blonde looks of a young Dorian Grey,
while his slow transformation from innocent to
debauched conspirator is excellently handled
by Bertolucci. Louis Garret as the brother in a sense has the
hardest role as the go-between, and he performs
it brilliantly – at times quiet and sensual,
then pleading and seductive, but also tough and
even jealous of his sister's eventual involvement
with Matthew. The muted cinematography and beautiful production
design inside the apartment add to the bacchanalian effect,
and the sex is handled in a very erotic and definitely
European style reminiscent of LAST TANGO. Throughout
the film the young cineastes constantly refer
to or have verbal arguments about classic French
and American films. Immediately one is treated
to a sepia or black and white clip from the film
under discussion, which not only provides relief
from the intense story, but adds to the ethereal
feel of the piece in general. 
This is a master director at the peak of his
craft, working a very delicate line with young
inexperienced actors, and under a lesser hand
it could have proved disastrous. Even though
there are definite weaknesses in the story, and
it is a bit lengthy, this is a film that should
not be missed Page1 I
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