The tough instructor, Sergeant Major Charles Eismayer, in the Austrian Armed Forces has a reputation for breaking recruits, the kind of man for whom you fear his veins may pop any minute when he gets angry at his recruits. He harbours a secret though, one that he hides from both his men and his family: he is actually gay and looks for excuses to not spend time with his wife. A new division has just started and amongst many new folks, there is Falak, who is openly gay and this thing catches Eismayer off guard throwing his beliefs that the army and life as a gay man cannot coexist into disarray. When he cannot take it anymore, he comes out to his wife, who as expected leaves him. At the same time Eismayer is diagnosed with lung cancer. And just around this time after sequence of events, Eismayer and Falak have started physical relationship. Now during his darkest period fighting with cancer, Falak comes as a savior and takes care of him and is with him through and through making sure he comes out of it. While things are going fine with him, Falak gets recruited into military as an officer and Eismayer is also back at work. This is when Falak proposes him but Eismayer rejects saying that they will never have a life together as long as they ar win military and people will always judge. But when Falak leaves for combat, Eismayer realized how much more Falak means for him in life and in a very endearing scene rushes to the site to proclaim his love for Falak in front of the whole troupe. The duo eventually get married and we are shown a beautiful picture of the real life couple from their wedding.
This is an honest and sincere feature film, in which the magnetic protagonists immediately seem more alive than ever. The whole scene when Eismayer comes out to his wife and recalls his adolescent days. There is this moment when Eismayer meets his son in the park after having come out to his wife and asks “What’s wrong with having a male friend? I have many at school too. What is the name of your new friend?” The film acknowledges the casual homophobia and racism of the army, partly explaining why Eismayer and his generation put so much effort into concealing their true selves. This is in contrast with how Falak acts and is treated: Falak makes no secret of his sexuality, trades banter with his fellow recruits and finds acceptance. When the two men start a relationship, it’s imperilled by the tension between Eismayer’s reluctance to see the possibility of a future together and Falak’s belief that anything is possible in a modern world. The unexpected obstacles they face deepen their story and the film’s emotional impact. The actor playing the titular role is exceptionally good. His search for happiness is expertly conveyed in small steps, dawning realisations and quiet breakthroughs. Meanwhile, in his role as the carefree Falak, he brings a calm and balance and dignity to his role. Eismayer's story of telling his parents, them forcing him to join military to become a man, incidents like these have forced him to hide in plain sight, burying his own identity deep within him and projecting to the world an image of himself that is pretty much the opposite of who he really is. Coming off Falak changes things for him, but this love is not going to be successful unless he first loves and accepts himself.
It’s an incredibly moving story, but it’s also filled with irony and love. It’s also a highly enjoyable, effortless watch that’s both beautifully intimate and fiercely engaging thanks to two very engaging and string performances by its lead actors. (7.5/10)
Comments
When the poster of this film appeared on the front page of my usual film site, I just had to click on it - it was photographically amazing, a true Kodak moment. The synopsis was really short and rather inexpressive. Lucky for me, as it turned out later.
Although anything military near me is like water to a cat - hate it, plain and simple - the story unraveled in such perfect tempo it was very pleasant to watch. Austrian military didn't resemble its Soviet counterpart the least bit, which was surprising. And how there were moments that could have become dramatic, but didn't. The whole story was about small steps and big changes. Since I seem to notice the secondary characters, I loved how natural and genuine the actress was in playing Eismayer's wife. She made it clear that women always know... even when they don't want to.
Both protagonists were chosen really well, bringing out every tiny contrasting nuance in the characters - their age (difference of 23 years), different cultural background, different self-acceptance... and the way they challenged each other to become the best versions of themselves. Despite the obstacles such as cancer and the fears created mostly by their own imagination. Mario's "I dare you!"-temperament was unspeakably amazing - the kissing bet scene in the canteen is probably something that real Charles and Mario remember as one of the most memorable moments from the beginning of their relationship.
My favorite element was using the cold wintry ruins in the forest as a symbol of Eismayer's view of himself and the rest of the world. Especially towards the end, when the walls begin to open up and he thinks the world waiting outside is a chilling and callous place - and then the lush summery green forest appears and in that forest is that one person who matters the most. The ending was also really well thought trough, showing just the photo and stating that they got married - an actual wedding scene would have made the whole story all about destination, not the journey and then it would have been just another "porn for girls" film. I'm happy that I had enough sensibility to go and google after watching the film to the end, finding the photos of the real couple and a short news story in Austrian Kronen Zeitung titled "Endlich frei" (finally free) would have spoiled the film for me.
Obviously the last scene in the forest paralleled with "Firebird" in my head, and that made my eyes spill over. Real Mario and Charles saw their story made into a film, real Sergei died before "Firebird" was finished. How cruel can the world be, dammit?! Pass the Kleenex, pls.
Some will be better than others and more fulfilling but I try and see the positive side of things as much as I can, but its hard.
Btw: I somehow totally missed the parallels of snow/spring and Eismayer's viewing of it as parallels with his own life. What an interesting observation
It's moving to watch this strong tough guy on the outside be so vulnerable and denying happiness on the inside evolve one step at a time. I feel many moments will stay with me. His final smile was endearing. The look at the guys during the big declaration kiss had us laugh so much. Of course the fact it's based on a true story adds a lot. Seeing the real couple's wedding picture was perfect as a closure of the movie. I just wished they would have shown a little more romance and loving moments for the couple (it was a bit rough on the endges, sometimes you wonder if they really are in love, and mostly why Falak can love such a cold Eismayer). And the interaction was the wife was not so quickly dealt with. The way he comes out to her seemed so cold! I say this but having been there I don't know if there is a proper way to do it...
Now my favourite moment was the Eismayer kid line that he also loves his boy friends. Excellent! Reminds me of my husband's nephew when he was really young saying : "Uncle and his boyfriend are so cool, I want to be an homosexual too later!". Talk about a big laugh XD
PS : thanks Miisu, like Golu I didn't see the parallel with the snow ruins and spring. Adds a lot to the evolution of the character!
Eismayer being so blunt and direct in telling his wife was so military of him. And the actress played the "thank you for confirming my suspicions"-reaction really well. And the following "I didn't want to be right this time".
Maybe I've been sharing my living space with cats for too many years and that makes me notice feline qualities in people and relationships, and that's why it's easy for me to get people who spend their time and patience on some seemingly spiteful and stubborn person. Eismayer was just another rescue cat, distrustful, distant, hesitant, borderline pistanthrophobic - basically an a$$hole :D While everyday life with that a$$hole is a constant battle of characters and territorial negotiations, but when the human gets sick or is devastated, there's no one more concerned about their well-being than that selfsame furry a$$hole. I'm totally fine with the too early wake up calls, broken dishes and vases, ripped wallpaper, clothes covered with hairs, paw prints in the fresh paint, fussing with food etc - because I know this little furry malicious a$$hole is fearless when she has my back.
Eismayer's son was lovely in that clean and unblemished view of the world. All children have it by default, before the adults decide to feed them their own beliefs and opinions.
I miss core gay love stories which seem to be coming less and less these days. Everywhere it's either teenage young adult love story or lesbian drama or trans. Eismayer def helped fill that gap.
Thankfully our teenage girl inner souls can feast on BL, else we would be starving...