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...
Craig is a boxer who makes money by fighting in back alleys. His elder brother worries about him but since his wife doesn't like Craig, he stays away. Struggling with his sexuality, he hangs outside a gay bar where he meets Matt, who happens to be the manager there and also a music producer. Craig gets too talk to him and brings him back to his apartment for sex but changes his mind and asks Matt to leave. But the next days he goes to club again, so that he can spend a day to hang out with Matt and not just have sex. The two get really close. But Matt's room mate Paula doesn't like this one bit. She is a singer doing very well thanks to Matt and now she is not getting any attention by him. We also meet Roger, owner of the club and music company who lures young guys into music for sex.. But he is also mentor for Matt and takes good care of him. He flirt with Craig but knows his boundaries. In fact he even gives a job to Craig. Paula leaves no stones unturned to bring in all kinds of differences between the two and finally succeeds in her plans as well. Heart broken Craig goes back to his hometown and decides to pursue boxing again. When Matt finds out the truth, he goes to Craig's home and finally the lovers are united.
There were many positives in the movie. Firstly Craig's character. After a long time, we see a guy who knows how to handle himself. Even though he is struggling with his sexuality, he embraces gay clubs and flirting from everyone else but clearly his eyes are only for Matt. He has a smile to die for and he has amazing chemistry with Matt. Matt does well too. He has been a regular shagger, so his character demands that openness and flirt. I loved Roger's character as well. He knew where to draw lines. There were so many times I thought some or the other cliched event would event but thank god it didn't. Yes, Craig makes a mistake bu. Sleeping with some other guy drunk but he has no recollection and it is refreshing to see when he doesn't understand why Roger doesn't want him to tell Matt the truth. This movie tells it like it is: coming out is a very painful and distressing emotional experience. The total contrast of the characters and their origins, explains a lot of gay stereotypes through an unusual romance. Surely the ending was fairy tale-ish but I am not complaining. Some lover stories should end happy.
Very well written, sensitively acted and directed, I am surprised this film doesn't find any mention in an already short list of well made gay cinema. Yes, it came out in 1998 and is a low production film but still definitely worth a watch. (7/10)
Comments