The Astronaut Lovers

Argentine Writer/Director Marco Berger once again repeats the same formula used in his previous productions such as 'Plan B' (2009) and 'Hawaii' (2013): two young men, both sexually fluid, who were childhood friends and eventually develop a deep love for one another. Nonetheless, it works!

This film touches on one of the ultimate gay fantasies, where true, honest, and eternal love may exist between any two men. The dialog and intimate visual imagery, without a single sex scene, are superb and hit the mark by creating anticipation throughout the narrative and that 'feel good' sensation in the end.

After a decade of great films exploring male sexuality, Marco Berger (Plan B, The Blonde One) is back with his best and most accomplished film to date.

This time around he delivers an inspired romantic comedy packed with funny moments and excellent performances from the leads (Lautaro Bettoni and Javier Orán) as two childhood friends reunited as adults.

There is a lot to like about this film.

The long shots and conflict-free script create the perfect intimacy set for their friendship to flourish into something more. I also enjoyed the soundtrack (which elevates some of the key scenes) and the strong supporting cast.

One of the best gay films in recent memory. Highly recommended.

I can totally get the slow pace of the film. The ambient and atmosphere work together to make you feel comfortable with that. The actors are great. Chemistry? On point. The premise of the story? Cool. The development of it... Not so much. There's actually no substance. It's short of profund and in-depth dialogue between the main characters. They fool around all the time and never get to the point. That's ok if it means the story is going nowhere also. But all of a sudden you get advances that cannot for the life of me point what has been worked to achieve them. There's an abuse of cuts on the cinematic. That serve no purpose besides confusing the audience. Not really a compelling story. Too bad. It could have been great.

How beautifully a summer can be spent with best friends who are totally attracted to each other. Nuances of being Gay are well portrayed in this film. Their jokes, subtle jealously, laughs and negotiating their relationship with each other all through was very well played by Javier Orán and Lautaro Bettoni. They have become my hot favourites, its like I know them up close and personal. Some of the moments in the film are so pure and basic elements of being in love are shown. Marco Berger has done a fantastic job of bringing out these actors who are so free in those scenes and have long conversations without cuts just felt so beautiful, natural and it was like watching their own personal videos. Aww..I already miss them...Lots of love.

There are some frustrations that this film goes nowhere, or too slow. But if you're familiar Berger's filmography, this is what his trademark is. It's subtle, quiet, grounded and conversation-heavy. But i think that's what makes his films special. It's the opposite of the stereotypical grandiose hollywood films.

And it's the same with The Astronaut Lovers. The whole film just the 2 leads talking, playing the game of chicken. It's cute, romantic and heartwarming. Bettoni and Orán did a very good job as the leads, the soundtrack is amazing and lots of beautiful shot. But i love the most is the writing, it's honest, sincere and compassionate. The characters are well developed and genuine which makes the whole story flows naturally. The writing is everything but shallow.

10/10 Berger's best film. I LOVE the easter eggs of Berger's past films.