Before the opening credits of "Bloom Up: A Swinger Couple Story" are over, director Mauro Russo Rouge has fully immersed viewers in the polyamorous life of its married protagonists, Betta and Hermes. The tastefully filmed — and sexually graphic — scenes depict each partner in various throes of passion. The intimacy is more sensual than shocking, but it shows the pleasure this couple experiences sharing their sex lives with others.
While the film certainly has erotic moments — there is a sensuous scene of bodies being massaged by multiple hands — as well as some hardcore activities, "Bloom Up" is more fascinating than titillating. Hermes and Betta run a pet store in Italy and take pains to coordinate a session with the "right" couples or singles. (Folks who don't kiss are unwanted.)
