Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Fresh and Exciting

Admirable film.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

In an undefined future having big insurance corporations, Thomas is a thirty-three years old retired man having agoraphobia for eight years. He uses cyber-sex for sexual self-satisfaction and never leaves his place or receives any visit. His apartment has a type of air-lock or ante-room, where he receives his deliveries. Thomas has psychological treatment with his psychiatrist through the video. One day, he knows the therapeutic prostitute Eva, and falls in love with her. This low-budget movie is one of the most original and intriguing films I have ever seen. This view of the future using the video to achieve all the services is getting closer and closer. The story hooks the attention until the last (disappointing) open scene, when we finally see Thomas. In Brazil, this film is only available on cable television. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Apaixonado Thomas" ("Infactuated Thomas")Obs: On 17 July 2008, I watched this movie on DVD.

***caution: may contains SPOILERS*** "Thomas in Love" is an obscure, offbeat, but truly amazing and original film. There's probably a few reasons why it's so obscure; it's from Belgium (which isn't really famous for its films), it was released by a tiny independent company in North America, and it was unfairly handed an NC-17 rating. The main character, Thomas, is an agoraphobe who hasn't left his house or had anyone inside of his house for 8 years. The film is all about his day-to-day interaction through his "visiophone", including mother/son interaction, dating clubs, insurance agents, psychologists, and even an online prostitute service and cybersex! First of all, the film is told entirely from the first person point of view. We never see the main character, Thomas, at all. We only hear his voice. Since Thomas is agoraphobic, this unique narrative really lets us become his character and feel his illness, and all of the isolation, loneliness and heartache he is going through. The idea that the film takes place entirely from images on Thomas' "visiophone" (basically a futuristic combination of a computer, telephone and webcam) may sound a bit boring to some.. but the director keeps things interesting by giving us tons of unique visuals, snarky dialogue and a number of unpredictably interesting situations for us to follow. One interesting touch in particular is the video feedback of the people that Thomas communicates with; the video quality of each person's visiophone basically indicates their financial status, which I thought was a nice touch. The film is very evenly paced; the director opts to keep things short and sweet rather than dragging things out and going for excess. This keeps the film engrossing and ensures that there will not be any boring moments. He leaves a lot of things (especially the ending) wide open for us to think about. This film serves as many things... it's about a mental illness, but it is also a piece of social commentary about how the internet can possibly change the way we communicate even further than it already has.... not to mention, the possibilitlies it has for reclusive people. In a way, too, it is also like a futuristic sci-fi movie. Is this what the future will be like, with visiophones and cybersex suits and online prostitutes? It's a very thought-provoking film, probably best seen with a group of people as it will make for great discussion afterwards. If you are tired of the typical mental illness films (ie - ones that are overly dramatic, sentimental, completely with a supposedly "award calibre" performance complete with weird facial movements and fluttering speech) then you should really give "Thomas in Love" a rental. Don't be misled by the NC-17 rating and the beginning of the film; this is not a pornographic cartoon, and the "Sextoon" thing is only a small part in the overall film. The ratings board should be slapped hard in the face for giving this film that rating; it is quite bad that this quite innocent film has a harsher rating than films like "8MM" and "Hannibal". But, considering that Americans are afraid of sex, it's not surprising. Anyway, if you're looking for a truly unique and original film-going experience, I would highly recommend this film to you. It is a beautiful film that deserves to become a cult favorite.

After the film experience of Belgian director Pierre-Paul Renders' "Thomas in Love," if we think about it, the title literally says what the film is all about. Yet in the beginning, we probably don't pay much attention to this title detail, 'cos we are dazzled by the amazing computer-digital video work of Clara and her simulated movements & sounds in 'sextoon.' We get the story of Thomas Thomas, an eight-year agoraphobic 32 year old, by (not actually seeing him, but) his going about his daily activities strictly through the technological device and mercy of videophoning: his interactions with the people he calls up, talks to, cybersex with on screen through his computer. Yes, it may sound like a lot of conversations/dialogs, but the nuances are felt in between the subtle unspoken moments, hesitating pauses… The visuals are impressive: from bright colorful setups, to the intimate background/room environment the person on the screen is in, and the interesting symbols on the faces of each video-in-person, including Thomas' mother and her friends. We also get to view cyber poetry transmitted, and somehow get a sense of how a cybersex suit is applied and plugged-in for virtual two-way connection. It's truly an imaginative filmic experience and it's beyond simply hi-tech alright! The ingenious aspect is how sensitivity and emotions were definitely not lacking throughout the film (and humor is included.) Certainly more warm (and hotter at times) than Wayne Wang's "Center of the World" 2001.Yes, if you appreciate the film "Thomas in Love," definitely visit its official site sponsored by IFC (served from Independent Film Channel's sextranet) - there is warning prior to entry of the site that it "contains content of a sexually explicit nature which is not suitable for young audiences…continue if you are over the age of 18 and not easily offended by sexual content." So, yes, this film is NFE (Not For Everyone.) If you're curious about what possibilities of interacting in cyberspace are like, if you care about where love and its power may lead you, if you appreciate innovative and imaginative filmmaking - yes, don't miss Thomas In Love, and visit its official Web site, for sure. (Film is in French with subtitles, site is in English with occasional French.)

One of the most stimulating, hilarious, thought provoking films I've seen in years. About an agoraphobe living maybe a decade into the future (in Belgium), when it is possible to have exclusively virtual relationships. Narrator/star has wry sense of humour, yet is quite compassionate and understanding as he goes about his daily business -- in all realms of life -- via interactive electronic media.Film touches on experiences many of us have had in chat rooms, via email, on ICQ, on web pages, etc. It will probably seem very familiar to you. You're likely to find yourself nodding, "yes, yes, I've done that.... ah, yes, that's just the way it could be....."Subtly and credibly casted, directed and acted. A film that is good enough to bear viewing two or three times. Something Ridley Scott might have made, if he'd thought of it first and if he'd sworn off violence.