Writer GG Hawkins delves deep into what the press notes for I Really Love My Husband call “female ennui.” Specifically: When we first meet Teresa (Madison Lanesey) she’s making a phone call to a mystery man to tell him, “I forgive you.” For what? We’re not told, but as the movie unfolds we can start making educated guesses… especially when the man’s reply is, “Isn’t this your wedding day?” Trouble can’t be far behind for this paradise.

Sauna manages to be a universal story of young love tested by a less-than-ideal world (it’s not hard to imagine any twenty-something couple braving the relationship challenges these two run up against) while also being specific to the queer demimonde. Spectacular chemistry between the leads helps propel this heartfelt drama, and the joy and pain of young love shines through even as one misfortune follows another in this naturalistically realized, narratively inventive flick.