I think the idea behind this movie was really interesting and different. It tells the story of a brutal attack on a gay man in Chile, which is a very serious subject, similar to the Matthew Shepard case in the US. However, it feels like the people who made the film weren't quite sure how to tell the story. The movie wanders around a lot, and many scenes are confusing because it's hard to tell what point the director is trying to make. The first part of the movie was actually quite good and I was excited to see where it went, but then it completely changes. It spends way too much time showing the dad being sad and frustrated, and the most annoying part is that the movie doesn't really have an ending or any answers. The story is about a teenager named Pablo who is around 17 or 18. He lives with his dad, Juan, who is a single father and always busy with work. Pablo loves to dance, hangs out with his best friend who is a lesbian, and is practicing for a drag show audition. When...
Song-joon is a budding artist and is auditioning for the role of a transgender in the famous play'Dark Side'. e is doing so bad financially that he as to rely on is younger brother Song-hyeok to take care of him. Song-joon watches a TV documentary about a famous transgender and her struggles and befriends her to learn about her closely to help him with audition. She takes him to a community meeting of various sexual minority people, and this surely opens his eyes to the people to whom he has never paid attention before. When his closest friend eventually comes out as gay, Song-joon is initially surprised but mostly alright with it, especially after having some recent experiences. Song-joon wants to leave no stone unturned for is audition and also takes dancing classes from is brother Song-hyeok, who is preparing for is performance so that e can avoid military. Not long after audition, he gets a call that he got the part. And he nails the opening act getting great reviews. When he comes home after the show, he sees is brother Song-hyeok and is best friend having sex. This shakes him to the core and can't understand what he is going through. Reality now hitting home, he feels very conflicted. The more he becomes conflicted, the better his performance looks on the stage. But he is not having any of it. Song-joon tries individually to bot of them to come out to him but neither does. When Song-joon sees them again together again, e loses control and badly beats them up badly. Song-hyeok can not do his performance now and is totally disgusted by is brother. He finally comes to say goodbye on the night of final act asking him never to talk to him again. It breaks Song-joon's heart but the final act turns out his best leading to suicide.
Thhe director does a good job of conveying his character’s growing conflict to us. And tanks to some good acting, the message comes across. Although the story is heavy-handed at times, the movie seldom steps back from its storyline. It forces Song-joon into more hypocrisy and shame during its finale. Not many films ave dealt with a subject like this. Song-joon is a straight man who slowly comes to appreciate different sexuality and respect them as well. But when he finds out about his brother, e is dealing wit a conflict like never before. When things strike closer to home, I can bet that most of us will struggle with our tolerance and acceptance. The story was novel, the acting was superb. Te film dragged at a few places. I wish there was more of a story around bonding between brothers, which would have the climax even more impactful. Also almost first alf of the film is shown with Song-joon preparing for audition, and I was starting to lose patience to where the film is headed.
Watch the film for its novel and impactful story telling. Besides some improvements mentioned above, tis film will make you question your own conflicts. (6.5/10)
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