Bruce, the main character in Love Forbidden (Défense d'aimer), probably would disagree with the familiar adage "'Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." Masterfully, Rodolphe Marconi writes, directs, and stars (as Bruce) in an exploration of obses­sion and sexual panic. As an actor, Marconi fully embraces the role of a sensitive man question­ ing love and dealing with an unexpected turn in his sexuality. Andrea Necci, as Matteo, embod­ies the force of a young man discovering the strength of his sexual influence.

Having lost his brother to AIDS, Bruce leaves France for Italy to study with a select group of international art students at the Villa Medici. Lonely and disoriented, Bruce struggles to connect. Yet soon he takes up with Matteo, a fascinating local man with whom Bruce unwit­ tingly begins to love. But upon learning Matteo has moved on to another conquest, a moody, young female writer from New York City, Bruce's love turns to despair and soon erupts as obses­ sion. With Matteo gone, Bruce accepts that he, too, must let go-doing so in a tragic, operatic move of compassion and revenge.

Love Forbidden is a delicate character study of an artist cautiously opening himself to the world, searching for solace and meaning in humanity. Set amidst a rich historical landscape of Italian arts, Marconi lends Love Forbidden a rich visual weight that offers a vibrantly fresh depiction of passion and obsession.