Eduardo (Simón Andreu) is a middle-aged successful banker and closeted homosexual who falls for Miguel (Tony Fuentes) a poor handsome 18 year-old Spanish boy who's heterosexual. Eduardo brings Miguel into his life although the physical attraction is only one way. Miguel is accepting of the situation and Eduardo manages to get himself involved in his life through a series of manipulative moves. The boy is thankful for his new job and motorcycle, but once he realizes the gifts are an attempt to get inside his pants, the friendship is brought to a halt--that is until some "fag-bashers" rob the banker and Miguel realizes that he cares. The two then agree to a Platonic, father and son-like relationship, which proves beneficial to all involved. Miguel even brings his hot tempered girlfriend into the arrangement. Local gossip and prejudice make it a bit hard to maintain, though. The three seem to be working it out when the realities of the outside world intrude. It's tragic with devastating consequences for the young man.
This complex updating of "Death in Venice" was the first gay film to be released in post-Franco Spain. It's a compelling drama, an intelligent and insightful look at cross-generational love and a doomed relationship. Director Eloy de la Iglesia links sexual power to financial power by implying that Eduardo’s influence as a bank manager allows him to corrupt boys. There is also a Marxist sentiment when Miguel tells an activist that he won’t let anyone take advantage of him, and the activist responds that he basically has more things to worry about than the gays: “Maybe you’ve been selling more important things and don’t even know it.” Carmelo A. Bernaola composed the music score, and the screenplay was written by director Eloy de la Iglesia and Rafael Sánchez Campoy. In Spanish with no subtitles. The English title is ”Hidden Pleasures”.
