The Flavor of Corn

This production is a good commentary on the culture in parts of Europe around the Mediterranean. On first impression some Westerners would be offended by a young boy starting puberty who holds the hands of a man or even kisses him. The real purpose of this movie isto demonstrate what a positive influence a young boy can have on a young man's life. The young man is a teacher, the young boy is one of his students, and the young boy's adult sister becomes involved with the Teacher. What develops is not a typical love triangle. The parents of the young boy come to realize their Son would not be molested or harmed in any way by the young Teacher. Whether on a farm in a rural town or a city, it is a challenging world for a young boy to grow up or a novice to begin a career of teaching. This is an excellent movie thatdemonstrates life at its best and worst.

The Flavor of Corn is a very lovable film that tells of a young teacher with a rather offputting girlfriend (shown quite explicitly together) who also finds himself to some extent responding to a young male pupil's pubescent crush on him. It could be sensationalist but in fact it is very reserved and the feelings are well shown in all their fragility. The boy in particular brings a real intensity to his portrayal which is very convincing; he is altogether a very likeable lad who is fond of his grandfather and respectful of everyone. The family are sort-of aware of their son's feelings - they are very much a farming family and slightly in awe of the teacher, and very hospitable. The mother in particular tries to put the brakes on something she sees as dangerous, but not in an unpleasant way, while the father is very generous in spirit towards the novice teacher. They are very reasonable people (the mother played by Marina Vlady whose presence gives the whole film an added prestige factor). The images are beautiful and the music oddly touching - it carries quite a lot of the emotion and genuinely involves the heart of the viewer. There's a moment when the boy gives his tutor a model boat and the latter just sits at his kitchen table looking at it. It doesn't sound like much but the music conveys all the emotional import of the gift and the slightly perplexed but touched reaction of the young man.

I was moved by this film, and by its simple and yet solid plot.This is one of those movies that linger on your mind long after you've watched it. My head was full of questions and I'm still thinking about them.I wonder what Lorenzo really felt for the boy. Was it the affection of an older brother or was there something else? I tend to go for the second option, although it was clear that he felt uncomfortable with it. The moment he kisses Adalgisa, it gave me the impression that he wished it was Duilio.Then again, it may be just my imagination.Someone said it ended the way it should, although there could have been a different ending. I guess I agree.In a nutshell, it is a film well worth watching, and I'm happy I bought it.

I have waited many years to watch this film. I am grateful and delighted to own this movie. Waiting was worth it.

This is a wonderful movie that ended, perhaps, as it should have, but not how I would have wished. The young man is a rather handsome, loney guys totally devoted to his students, yet lonely and not finding what he needs in the women in his life. He is intreagued by a rather nice looking boy in his class. The two become friends, spend time together, and their relationship grows. While nothing blatent or offensive,it is a beautiful portrayal of how important a young boy can be in a man's life, and how important a young man can be in a boys life. Tasteful, well written and acted, and some beautiful scenery. The movie is wonderful, and believable. The ending, I would have re written...

not bad

This is a movie about a straight man confused with his filling for a young boy who is infatuated with him.It's not real clear that the boy is gay, but it is clear the older guy is straight he seems to fall in love with alocal girl. But I do think he loves the younger boy, because he knows the boy loves him in a way that's not typical.This is a movie about young infatuation and it's sweet to see the young boy fall in "love".

I enjoyed this movie very much. It had a good ending (no arrests or incarceration) I liked the boy who played Duillio. The teacher was very responsible. The teacher (called professor, in some european countries) was a young man. He forms a close attachment to Duillio. He even spends some time at the boys house. Even gives the boy viewpoints on things like art and other life issues. This movie should not be shown to anyone under sixteen. There are several intimate lovemaking sessions between the teacher and other adult women. However I do love Italian that was spoken in this movie. Nice production, if you don't mind some of the sexual interludes.