Not every film needs a sense of restraint, but there is a weightlessness to this wannabe epic’s maximalism that drains its ultimate impact.

There is certainly a lot to savor in the film, not least of which is its historical consciousness and poetic portrait of homosexuality in both repressed and more permissive times.

This is truly an extraordinary film, one that will further enrich with repeated viewings. You’ll be rushing back to watch it again and again.

Its vapid maximalism never met a single queer cliche it couldn’t strip for parts.