Plan B is one of those films which is not everyone's cup of tea. The heart is in the right place but the pace at which the film is shot is lethargic specially in this day and age. The film is raw, the acting is raw, none of the lead characters are buffed up or anything; they are every real like you would see someone in everyday life; so in totality it either works or doesn't work. Personally for me, it worked to an extent but could have been improved drastically.Tall, confident wild-haired Bruno is pissed that he’s been dumped by his girlfriend and upset that she’s seeing another guy, Pablo, a sweet metrosexual charmer. Although she has dumped him, she still sees Bruno occasionally for sex. Determined to get even and get back his girl, Bruno devises a plan that involves befriending Pablo, making him fall in love with him, and then dumping him in the hopes that his ex will run into his arms again. But have things ever remained same the way you plan it. Bruno starts hanging out with Pablo trying to entice him to make him fall in love with him. They start spending a lot of time together but never get physical or anything. A gradual mutual affection starts developing. Bruno gives him final blow when he gives Pablo a letter expressing his love. Pablo confused about everything finds out by a mutual friend that Bruno is actually ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend and probably he has done all this to get back at Pablo. Pablo is sad because at some end he was falling for Bruno. He breaks up with his girlfriend because now he is confused. On the other hand, Bruno now is really falling for Pablo and wants to get back with Pablo.
So the story has its heart in the right place but there are scenes (and a lot of them) where nothing happens. The camera just captures various moments in the 2 men's lives and their hanging out scenes. There is no background music or anything. The director actually focuses a lot on the two actors' faces, as they ponder, decide, ponder some more, dream, think some more, decide, and ponder. The film can definitely use some serious editing and some background music. In my opinion, this would have ended up a really good 30 minute short film but as a full length feature, it fails in keeping the audience captured.
You have to be really patient to understand and appreciate director's vision for this film. For me it worked only partially. (4/10)
Comments
Not everything has to be said with words, nor does there always have to be background music to make meaning clear. For me the actors were perfect...just ordinary guys grappling with something very new to them. I suggest people read some of the thoughtful and positive reviews in IMDB
I'm actually very happy to see that some people still make gay-themed films that are not corky comedies, or propaganda for the most superfacial kind of lifestyle and promiscuity, or where gay people are pictured as martyrs. This movie (much like The Sex of the Angels) had believable characters and a touching atmosphere.
Maybe one day, I will too.