Passages

With Passages, co-writer/director Ira Sachs returns to the sensuality of his early films wish smashing results.

Starring the borderline unfairly talented trio of Franz Rogowski (Transit), Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue is the Warmest Color), and Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) as characters in a bisexual love triangle, this lively Parisian drama thrives off of the various permutations of these individuals, and their dramatically rich highs and lows prove extremely fulfilling.

The lone hitch is the plausibility of Rogowski’s Tomas as a romantic interest. While it’s difficult to see the appeal of this thoroughly difficult person to Whishaw’s Martin and Exarchopoulos’ Agathe, the tension that arises as he flits from one lover to the other largely suspends the disbelief.

And don’t be repelled or overly titillated by Passages’ rare beyond-R rating — but do be appalled. This unfair rating with which the MPA has branded the film is a mark of blatant homophobia and an injustice to the beautiful, consensual sex practiced by these characters.

Grade: B-plus. Rated NC-17. Now playing at the Fine Arts Theatre

(Photo: MUBI)