Isaac

There are numerous films by this name, so be sure it's the one from 2020, directed by hernández and matamoros. In spain, we follow two couples, as friends from high school meet up years later. Everyone has secrets that will come out over the course of the film. One couple needs money. The other needs a favor. If they come to an agreement, will both sides hold up their end of the bargain? It's mostly good! Real people, real stories. I did feel that denis' personality changed quite suddenly, once he has money. That selfish decision rather came out of the blue, as they say. And the ending is a bit confusing... i know things aren't always spelled out in films, but it would have been nice to know just what was happening in that final scene at the beach. Good stuff.

I did enjoy this movie. It shows 2 couples caught up in what society ( family etc) expects of them and living out a false existence, which doesn't hold up by the end. Its depicting subtle complicated emotions in a non sentimental way, which makes it much more touching therefore. ( I watched it in the original Spanish language)

A married man having a gay affair is not an uncommon subject in the gay themed cinema for its titillating shock value. 'Isaac' could be still in that category, but it deals it in more subtle and mature manner.

The best point is that it gives just as much focus to the wives. A wife character in gay affair dramas can often portrayed as a simplified victim or even a villain. Women in 'Isaac' are much more multi-dimensional and frankly more charming than their husbands.

Where this film lacks the most is the portrayal of the guys' past. A lot of issues and emotional entanglement of Nacho (and to certain extent, of Denis) comes from the unresolved past, their intimate teenage friendship. I mean the title is the name of their 3rd friend for a reason.

But the sequences from their past are too fragmented, too caricature-like, and too shallow comparing to the present sequences that it affects the believability of the present situation negatively, especially why Nacho should become so taken by Denis.

I enjoyed it and could recommend it... but it could have been better.