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Lyle (Jean-Marc Barr) has never had intimate relations with wife Amy (Rosanna Arquette) from
the time of their marriage because of the perceived rumor that he suffers from a deformity of Too Much Flesh (read uncircumcised). Even the women of the town avoid him.
Then 20 years later, an encounter with a French young woman Juliette (Elodie Bouchez) makes him realize that there is nothing wrong with him, which does not convince his wife.
He decides to carry on an affair with Juliette, which is tolerated by Amy. But this horrifies and angers the whole community, an old-fashioned, isolated, hypocritical, almost
puritanical farming town in Illinois. How Lyle, Amy, Juliette and the town deal with the sexual awakening of a well-liked member of the community is shown in the movie.
The film looks faded; the images are not clear, mostly in half light. The original composition
and editing are affected by the many cuts which are obvious. The dialogue is not always understood. The acting is so-so. All these deficiencies seem to indicate that this is a
quickie movie.
Too Much Flesh focuses on sexual issues and the mores of a small isolated town. Contrary to rumors, Lyle is actually cheated into
thinking that their unconsummated marriage is his fault, because Amy has her personal reason, and not due to his supposed deformity. The movie sympathizes with Lyle and yet,
because of their hypocritical and puritanical attitudes, the townspeople punish him.
In spite of the many cuts of graphically detailed visuals, much of the film still shows,
though within modified limits, illicit and aberrant sexual acts indicating impotence, frigidity, homosexuality, illicit love, etc. CINEMA finds Too Much Flesh very
disturbing, and a movie not worth viewing.
Human sexuality is such a powerful force that, if not handled properly, is bound to adversely
affect not only the person but also the community.
(Date reviewed: March 16, 2001)
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