This indie film is a really powerful look at how a community can suffocate you and the hidden corners young people have to find just to be themselves in so many European towns, even with all the progress we've seen lately. The whole story plays out while the town is bracing for a massive, raging flood, and you just can't shake the feeling that some kind of intense reckoning or unavoidable doom is headed their way. To be honest, I didn't go in with super high expectations, but the way it’s put together makes it a seriously compelling watch. Plus, it’s not every day you get to see an LGBT-themed movie coming out of Croatia! The story follows Marko, a popular 18-year-old kid who seems to have it all—he’s got a girlfriend, he’s a competitive arm wrestler, and he’s well-liked at school. When he isn't in class, he’s usually hanging out with his brother, who has a disability, or helping his mom out in her greenhouse. Everything gets flipped upside down when a guy named Slaven ...
This vertical drama is definitely one of the more straightforward ones I've seen lately. It keeps the focus pretty tight on the romance and how these two guys slowly fall for each other, without getting too bogged down in extra nonsense. The leads are honestly super hot—very much that "twink" aesthetic—and while the story doesn't exactly break new ground, it’s a lot less cringey than usual. Like most of these micro-shows, it’s probably going to slip my mind in a week, but at least I wasn't rolling my eyes every five seconds while watching it.
The plot is about as simple as it gets. Alex is running for college president, and his main rival is Xavier, a handsome guy from a struggling background. During a big debate, they accidentally trip and end up kissing, which immediately sends the campus rumor mill into overdrive. Alex’s campaign manager decides to lean into the chaos and suggests they start fake dating to boost his popularity. Alex managed to talk Xavier into the deal because Xavier desperately needs cash to deal with his abusive, alcoholic father. Things get messy when someone leaks their "dating contract" and Alex’s poll numbers tank, but they manage to save face by leaking videos that make it look like they’ve actually caught real feelings. Of course, the "fake" love becomes very real; Xavier admits he’s always been into guys and liked Alex from the start, and Alex realizes he’s smitten too. Enter the typical female villain—Alex’s secret fiancée who shows up out of nowhere to reclaim her man. She enters the election, threatens to expose them, and even goes as far as kidnapping Xavier’s dad. She offers to pay Xavier’s debts and give him a glowing college recommendation if he just disappears, but Alex ends up choosing love over politics. He makes a big public speech saying he doesn't give a damn about the presidency if it means losing Xavier, and they get their happy ending.
Aside from having two really attractive leads—I was especially digging Xavier’s curly hair and glasses—this is a pretty standard, run-of-the-mill production. I was actually thankful that it didn't lean too hard into annoying stereotypes or constant, exhausting misunderstandings. The scenes are actually set up to show Alex and Xavier constantly reassuring each other, which made their bond feel a bit more legit despite the "contract" setup. Since the ex-fiancée doesn't show up until toward the end, the show actually gives the romance some breathing room to grow. The direction is decent enough for what it is, even if there’s nothing about it that’s going to stick with me long-term.
It’s a totally fine, low-stakes watch that’s perfect for when you’re bored or killing time on a treadmill at the gym. (5/10)
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