Film School Stuff
What happened on the infamous holiday taken by Brian Epstein and John Lennon? Rumors long swirled about an erotic encounter, never confirmed by anyone, least of all Lennon. This film purports to imagine what went on: But it's pretty dull stuff, though the Lennon character has his moments, especially with a flight attendant. Epstein is just boring. I only watched this with one eye because it was so dull.

Interesting muse
This package includes a "Featurette" which should be viewed before the feature. It explains why it looks like a successful film student project and why its' minimalist values take some getting used to. That will put the movie at an unoffical [approx.] 70 minutes.
A part of Beatles' lore is that the same-sex leanings of their genius Manager, Brian Epstein, became fully known to his group's leader, John Lennon, at a vacation spot, just before the world consumed both parties.
In 1988, when this film was started, such a relationship had more resonance, culturally. Today...so what? A couple of guys take off for a week or so, and something happens that one of the guys is not sure he wanted to happen. Anyway, it still holds alot of interest because...it's "The Beatles".
A good scene is near the end: at the Hotel Suite in Barcelona, "Lennon" draws a bath, soon to be joined by "Epstein". An embrace follows, initiated by John. Is it true romantic passion, or is it a complicated man's expression of *brotherly* love?
We are inclined to believe an aspect of the artists' personality was impulsive and honest, because suddenly he appears repulsed by his move, and he is "saved" psychologically/socially by a female fan who shows up at the Hotel, in an alluring outfit, ready to rumble, ready to dance? She is carrying a copy of Little Richard's new recording of "I'm In Love Again". Lennon grabs it, mentions that his group opened for Richard the year before, places it on the turntable and dances freely about with the lady - a groovy little twister, I might add.
This scene seems to snap JL back into that brave new (inherited from Richard and co.) world, where "straight" is the way for a young, rockin' stud.
Intentionally or unintentionally, there are black and white qualities of Richard Lester's classic "A Hard Day's Night", featuring John and co.
Ian Hart, playing the 23 year old Lennon, seems a bit too young, but his understated performance is excellent. David Angus as Epstein, has alot less resemblance, but his brooding, tormented portrayal is notable.
"The Hours And Times" is anyone's "Life" and times really *hours* and times?

Boring, Dull Homo-Erotic Rubbish
This "art house" type movie is written and directed by Christopher Munch. He's a man who obviously has a fantasy that John Lennon and the Beatles manager Brian Epstein, had a homosexual affair while on holiday together in Barcelona Spain in 1963. Viewers should know that this movie is pure fiction and based on nothing more than old scandalous, tabloid rumors.

Thankfully this tedious and extremely low budget movie is only about sixty minutes in length, because there's really nothing to keep a viewer interested in the story. The ordinary sets, contrived dialogue, unimpressive direction, and lack of any kind of intrigue, action or real drama resulted in a film that almost put me to sleep.

Maybe "gay" Beatles fans will find this story interesting and to their liking, but I think the vast majority of Lennon fans will find this movie boring, and quite possibly offensive.

Mike

Nothing much really happens but......
I loved this movie. Not very much happens as far as the plot goes but the character study is intriguing. The cinematography is great and the black and white cinematography creates a moving work of art.

I also lived in Barcelona so it was great to see the director's sweeping panoramic shots of the city.

Amazing
This movie is simply the sexiest movie I've ever seen. Period. As a straight woman I never thought that sexual tension between two men could be so effective. The acting is excellent. I feel that Ian Hart is a little more accurate in his portrayal in this film than he was in Backbeat. The slow pacing works to the films advantage, and the ambiguous ending was great, I felt, although I have read other reveiws that thought it was rushed and sudden.
I am very privlaged to be able to add this DVD to my collection, not only becase of it's relevence to my Beatles collection, but becase it was a damn good film.