This was the first big Brazilian drama that HBO worked on, and it’s a five-episode miniseries that lasts almost five hours in total. It’s a really emotional and political story set in Rio de Janeiro during the late 1980s, and it does a great job of showing what that era felt like while the country was dealing with the HIV/AIDS crisis. Since the world feels so divided today, the show is a beautiful reminder of how queer people can find power by standing together when things are hard. The story is actually based on real things that happened, specifically about flight attendants who smuggled AIDS medicine from the US into Brazil in the 80s. It works as both a history drama and a strong political message. The show is mostly about three people: Nando, his best friend Lea (they both work as flight attendants for Fly Brasil), and Raul, who is a performer and an activist. A lot of the story happens at a club called Paradise, which was one of the few open gay clubs back in the 80s. Nando is a h...
Fabian is a young gay man who lives with his father and is looking for a job. His father is homophobic but Fabian has no means to live on his own. He has a very strong support system via his friends Greg and Amira. Greg is a free spirited bisexual man, who happens to be Fabian’s best friend and is his voice of reason. He is there for him always. Amira is aspiring singer and is constantly at loggerheads with Greg but together both of them are always there to help Fabian. Fabian meets this young, charming activist Lonnie. There is mutual attraction but unlike Fabian, Lonnie os confident and openly gay. He pursues Fabian but his own insecurities and always pushes him away. A good part of the film is about Lonnie pursuing Fabian who keeps pushing him away. But thankfully Lonnie helps Fabian get comfortable in his own skin and he faces his father and tells him the truth. Ultimately Fabian starts discovering himself and and although he breaks up with Lonnie, he writes him a lengthy note to thank him for everything that he did to boost his confidence.
I have already talked about how bas the acting is in the movie, especially from lead actor playing Fabian. Some of his reactions are truly laughable. Also, I grew so tired of Fabian just rejecting and ignoring Lonnie for no specific reason. I fail to understand why would such a charming guy like Lonnie continue to pursue Fabian, especially after the asshole-ish behavior that he keeps showing towards Lonnie. Fabian’s character became very very annoying after a certain time. His character was full of insecurities, ignorance, stupidity, laziness and the most extreme extent of low self-esteem. Amira shout and screams all the time and is so fake. Greg is the only decent character. This film could have been an ok short film. Almost one hour of the film is dedicated to Lonnie pursuing Fabian and he keeps rejecting him time and again. There are serious continuity issues as well. Unfortunately, I will next be watching the sequel as well, just so that I can get it out of my way.
Truly terrible film that should never have been made. Please don’t waste your time on this. (2.5/10)
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Thanks always for Your suggestions and ratings.