Sabor tropical

As I watched Sabor, the first thing that came to mind is oh my god, that Matthew Leitch is one hot actor. His performance was riveting. I found the documentary style was fascinating. I found the carnival in Panama to be colorful and lively specially because of the high energy an colorful costumes. The ending was kinda shocking and amazing... I thought it was genius. I recommend this film because it very original and thought provoking. At first I wasn't so crazy about the colombian guy but as I thought about it his performance was very realistic. His character was believable as he was not a Hollywood type actor. I thought the story was so realistic you could not tell what was scripted and what was not. As I watched it on DVD, I would have really liked to have seen it on the big screen for it think it would have had a bigger impact. Some movies you just have to see them on the big screen and that's my preferred way I would have liked to have seen this.

Jorge Ameer does it again! A truly disturbing and thought provoking reality style thriller. One of Ameer's most intense and interesting films to date. Watching the main character evolve into the twisted human being he actually is a treat in itself. Mathew Leitch is a great lead, he plays a likable character that an everyday person could relate to...until we find out he has a much darker secret. Jose Rosete also gives an outstanding performance, there are some great moments between Rosete and Leitch that are extremely powerful. The ending will leave you speechless, the final shot sent shivers down my spine, highly recommended, go see it!!!

I enjoyed this movie, it had a lot of interesting twists to it. Very colorful and informative.It's a suspenseful and captivating journey with a young man's visit to an unfamiliar country and his experiences along the way.The story was a roller coaster ride of emotions.The characters were interesting and often not what you would expect.The scenes were real and unfiltered showing the heart and soul of Panama. Which made for an interesting story, not very predictable.I would have liked to have seen more background on the main character learned more history on him.Definitely will checkout future films from the young lead actor.Loved the previous works from the director Jorge Ameer. I would recommend this movie if you are captivated by the unexpected.

Travel, particularly to Latin America, is of great interest to me. After reading previous reviews, I was looking forward to seeing Sabor Tropical, although there was an element throughout the reviews that was vaguely troubling to me. After watching the "director's cut", I feel compelled to write a review that will spare others from an awful waste of time and money. First, most of the movie is presented as footage from a hand held video camera--the cinematography is therefore terrible. The perspective of Panama is street scenes behind one of the characters that could have been shot in Newark, New Jersey, or out of a moving car window of sky and fields that could have been in Iowa. The scenes of Carnival were shot at night with a voice over introduction that sounded like it was being read from a travel brochure. Second, the "star" is a narcissistic exhibitionist (to be kind) who is periodically referred to in the movie as resembling Colin Ferrel or James Dean--he doesn't. Finally, production values, story line, writing, acting, and directing are among some the the worst I've ever seen. Spare yourself.

The premise of the film is young, cocky Californian has been hired to shoot footage of the Carnival in Panama. He makes arrangements ahead of time to hook up with a woman he has met online but discovers he has been catfished after he arrives.

The blending of the story of what is happening in the Californian's life and the "documentary" he is being paid to film are woven together so completely that many people get sucked into believing it is just an odd travelogue. I was part of a film programming team that viewed this film as a prospective festival entry but most of the team felt this way. The style of the film is that masterful.

I do wonder if cutting back on the Carnival footage might have allowed the dramatic story to be clearer. You are really watching two films: One about the filmmaker and the other what the filmmaker is capturing.

Leitch is most of the film, and his portrayal of the confused, selfish California yuppy is multi-dimensional in that you see his swaggering and how that masks his insecurities and inner pain. The expression on his face in the final scene is haunting.