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Performances are introspective and often heightened, charged with the inexplicable emotions swirling through Nino's mind. Young Diaz fills Nino with equal parts fear and hopeful anticipation about his emerging sexuality. As his dismissive mother, Soldi has terrific presence, deflecting his questions about carnal sins and impure thoughts. And Coronel is haunted and stone-faced as his father, who ignorantly turns to a grisly tradition to make a man out of him.

As a voyage of youthful self-discovery, this film is unusually creepy, full of pointed sequences that provocatively take on enormous themes. Conversations are hesitant and often unfinished, as nobody wants to talk about these things, and they punish Nino for daring to mention them. So it's no surprise that Nino feels sacrilegious, and this gives the film a grim but vitally important kick.

themes, languag, violencee, sexuality

8.Apr.24

The easy pace allows the actors to deliver wonderfully understated performances that ripple with nuance, allowing emotions to ripple beneath the surface. As Miguel, Solo creates an evocative portrait of a man still haunted by losing his best friend, his film and his career in one fell swoop. His connection with the riveting Coronado's Julio is fascinating. The entire ensemble is terrific, as even the smaller side characters are played in ways that continually bring out sparks of personality.

Reimagining key moments of the past that exist only in swirly memories, the film has an almost dreamlike quality to it, realistic and engulfing. As Miguel digs deeper into his past, his discoveries are remarkably moving. Each resolution to this mystery raises new questions that tap into the people he and Julio used to be. And the film's second half takes on themes relating to memory and legacy, and ultimately the magic of the movies themselves.

themes, language, violence

8.Apr.24

Big emotions make both men sympathetic. Even if David is closeted and self-centred, and oddly pushy about sex, his feelings are genuine. And Victor knows that reconnecting is perilous. But Arellano and Recagno have natural chemistry, a strong connection that feels almost plaintive. Is this a final resolution to their relationship or the start of something new? These are low-key, open-handed performances that reveal huge emotions without tipping into melodrama.

Movie relationships are rarely as complex as this, containing layers that are happy and sad. This makes the film cute, engaging and profoundly thoughtful. There are no easy answers, so we care what happens, especially when these men speak about the future, imagining possibly reaching older age and still being alone. But David is seeing a version of Victor that he doesn't recognise in himself. And both have very different perceptions on their time together. This gives an extra kick to the film's pointed revelations and observations.

themes, language, sexuality

7.Apr.24