Spetters (1980) ***

Paul Verhoeven is not a subtle director and neither is Spetters (1980) a subtle film. At times a raunchy sex comedy, at times a shocking downbeat drama and at times a dirt bike showcase, the film is troubling in the way that it portrays attitudes towards women and homosexuals but also feels quite realistic at times. Interestingly, it has more male than female nudity—including several erect penises and male on male oral sex (not something you'd see in any of the director's American films where he seemed to revel more in over the top violence). There seems to be some kind of message that the director is trying to make about freedom, following one's dreams, success, faith, and love but it kind of gets lost in the excess. Verhoeven has always been a controversial director, inciting protests of his films regarding treatment of his characters and Spetters is no exception. While it's no masterpiece, it's affecting and well-made.