Plan B

I love this movie. I had to watch it several times to really understand the subtle nuances of the plot and the characters. The actors are phenomenal. Lucas Ferraro is particularly touching in his role as Pablo. The subtitles miss the depth of the conversation, however, so if one doesn't speak fluent Spanish, I think there is some important context that's not being imparted. Every once in a while, the translation is just flat out wrong, or missing half of what was said. Warning: past this point, there will be spoilers.One of the things it took many viewings to really understand is the heart & soul of Pablo. When I watch Lucas Ferraro take Pablo through the process of understanding the betrayal of Bruno, I am amazed by his ability to reach inside and make you feel his pain. The one tear sliding down his cheek, which he wipes away furiously as though he were trying to wipe away what he felt for Bruno, gets me every time. Later, he doesn't break up with Laura because he's vindictive; he does it for Bruno because Pablo doesn't yet understand that Bruno is really in love with him. Post-break up with Laura, Pablo tries to sleep with Bruno. Or so I originally thought. But that's not what he's doing. He's letting Bruno go so that Bruno can go back to the now-free Laura and be happy. When you watch the movie after you understand the selflessness of Pablo, it adds a layer to his interactions with Bruno earlier in the movie. Pablo is a genuine person. And even after understanding that Bruno was not being genuine with him, Pablo can only be himself and let him go without hurting him.Bruno's evolution comes in fits and starts, whereas Pablo's acceptance of how he feels about Bruno is more consistent. Early in the movie, Bruno is forced and focused on the seduction of Pablo as part of his game. Around the time the 2 meet Ana, Bruno has moved past the game and genuinely starts to care about Pablo. When Bruno has moments of self-reflection where he knows he's feeling something different, he looks uncomfortable and shakes it off. He struggles while Pablo accepts.I thought Manuel Vignau's portrayal of a heterosexual man who had never desired - or thought about desiring - another man was very well acted. As part of his original game, he focused only on sex. As viewers, we get to watch him forget his game and really come to like, and then love, Pablo for who he is. When he says "No puedo explicar lo que me está pasando" (I cannot explain what is happening to me), he really can't. And that's the basis for moving forward with new possibilities.The last 2 minutes of the film are powerful. Bruno reveals that he's in love with Pablo. He says "Estoy completamente enfermo". The subtitle says "I'm completely insane"... but that's not really what that line is trying to impart... Bruno is telling Pablo that he's love sick; the implication is that Bruno can't eat, can't sleep - he's literally sick from the emotions he's feeling. This last scene is perfectly acted by both principles, in my humble opinion. Lucas Ferraro does an incredible job of reacting to Bruno's confession of love. You can see the exact moment on his face when he decides to forgive Bruno for his treachery and pursue the love he feels for him.The only thing I would have liked to have seen done differently in this film is the very ending of it. I love when Pablo pushes Bruno into his room so they can be together. I would have loved the last shot to have been the 2 of them in bed, after being together, spooning and holding hands like Ana and her boyfriend had done in the scene where all 4 people were sleeping. This movie wasn't about the sex - it was about the love - and I think having the closeness & the love in the last scene would have been stupendous. Regardless, I can at least imagine this in my head whenever I watch this film!I recommend this film with my heart. My head can find some things I'd change, but my heart tells me it's perfect every time I watch it. Whatever you do, don't miss it!

With all the hoopla surrounding the Mexican director stars, you should perhaps check out a really talented Argentinean director who is, we hope, headed in their direction of fortune and fame. Marco Berger's work with actors is phenomenal - the performances in this film are so complex and honest it takes your breath away. He's a master at sexual tension (he even titles his last set of short films that) --the silent spaces where people don't understand or can't define the feelings they have (but know they have them). Also his subject matter, or themes as you might have it are controversial in both a gay and straight context. He's interested in the gray area, where gay desires are often unlocked in straight men - which lead to mental torture because they conflict with all the values these men have taken for granted. So here we have a gay film about straight guys. How realistic can that be? Well, as it turns out, very. It's also a love story that shows how difficult it is to recognize what you feel, and the marvelous vibes that can naturally exist between two kindred souls --in other words, the real thing. Seldom do we see films that exhibit such affection and tenderness for their characters--oh yes, you can hear the nay-sayers--From straights: " Talk about gay fantasy. Oh brother" From gays: " Where's the nudity and sex?". But for those of you who want to enjoy a real love story, you won't object, you'll be thrilled. Berger has a more somber version of the same themes in his prize winning, Absent. And his last has been a series of short films, which excel in fine performances and well...sexual tension. This one will surprise,delight, and believe it or not, just may move you!

Yo.....let me get something out of the way right up front. If you don't think the ending 4 minute scene makes your viewing time more than worth it, then I'll eat my ticket stub, AND tell you that you're not the gay romantic you'd like to think you are.The Big Question addressed by this movie is....Will "Plan B" backfire? And since we're given seemingly "Dyed in the Wool" Hetereos as our 2 leads, it's a valid one. Just know, however, that this viewer has never seen a "straight guys falling for each other" story which felt and seemed more real than this (well, maybe in novels). And what really stumps me is HOW they got such intangible feelings to come across on film! That's a Biggie. Now a WARNING: Don't be mislead by viewers who say nothing "seems" to be happening in this movie. The fact is, for most of us, it'll take time to sink in that IT has been happening right before our eyes all along; we just weren't "recognizing" it. So when several of those long (in time taken) shots occur, showing one or another of our leads standing alone, staring off into space....or sitting by himself, gazing at nothing......BUT then this silly smile starts to appear on his face.....or you hear the guy start whispering funny or surprised little comments to himself......THEN is when you pick up on what all this is about. You suddenly realize what these two are thinking and agonizing over: "What's the hell's happening to me?"......."How come I'm feeling this way?"......."No way this can be real!"......."Well, what the F--- do I do now?!"So, with all that out of the way, here's a little bit of what your having been patient will bring you: There's a written confession of love.....there's a face to face admission of love. There's some hurt.....there's some tears. And, as already mentioned, you'll witness lots of feelings expressed in just a look.....or in the manner a character is standing or sitting during his alone time. So, Viewers, don't rush this. Your Director intended for you to be as patient as are his 2 characters (even if that does cause them confusion along the way). But, in the end, you'll be happy to know: We CAN see it.....Falling in Love.....oh, yes we can.Not everything is perfect; there are things I think wrong with this film. However, most of them have to do with a lack of resources to produce a top-grade production. This young and talented (cute, too) writer / director likely did the best he could with what he had. Foremost problem is a lack of inviting surroundings in which to shoot---especially an important waterfront "getting to know one another" scene---which takes place in an abandoned industrial area of crumbling cement, rusting metal and weed growth. Sadly, those surroundings undermine the relationship development such a scene is aiming for. Still, it does remind us that our 2 lead characters are not upscale, wealthy types (and their living quarters reflect that, as well).Speaking of the leads (Manuel Vignau and Lucas Ferraro).....if you begin by thinking these 2 are mere eye candy, they'll have you right where they want you---squirming for "IT" to happen. What's "IT" you ask? Duh, c'mon, be honest; you came into this thing thinking, "Oooh, 2 straights falling for each other." Sure ya did. And along the way you may just start to notice that these guys play off each other wonderfully---which is no small thing if a film is to be memorable. (Even though a low budget Indie, the DVD Special Features interviews of both actors show them to be quite well-spoken and certainly well aware of what they needed to do to get the point of this story across to us).PS--So, the Moral of this tale is that: Yes, you can have a Backup Plan ("B") in place for a first attempt that goes wrong. BUT keep in mind that, if the situation involves love... jealousy...getting-back-at....and if it results in deviousness or hurtfulness toward another person, then you may find out the hard way that "B" can also stand for "B"ackfire or "B"oomerang. Which is not to say, Dear Viewer, that LOVE can't be the end result.(( I've revised this review and in doing so am adding this following comment about the film. I've come to find it strangely surprising that these 2 actors have REALLY grown on me, and that I want to watch and rewatch them. Sure, one's kind of an idiot at the beginning....until an "earthquake" hits him, and you begin to see him differently. And the other lead....well, Wow, the tears he is brought to suddenly become the tears you share. And sure, sometimes I fast-forward through scenes not mainly involving them, but that's only because I want them back. So, there you have it. ))For your viewing pleasure, why not take a look at a few recent gems: "Ciao" // "Just Say Love" // "Eyes Wide Open" // "Patrik Age 1.5"