Hawaii

I couldn't be happier! Marco Berger touched my heart again with this winning dramatic romance between two timid individuals, unsure of life and love. "Hawaii" makes the perfect addition to the collection of Marco Berger's offerings. Be sure to catch them all. They make a perfect film festival all by themselves.

"Hawaii" lays out the day to day interactions between Eugenio (played by the unconventionally handsome Manuel Vignau, "Bruno" from "Plan B") and Martín (played by Mateo Chiarino) that build a budding romance neither knows how to address. Tension builds until, finally, a fateful kiss that changes everything. I spent the rest of the movie repeating the mantra "please, please, please, please" for the perfect ending. See if I got my wish...

I was first introduced to Marco Berger with "Plan B", still one of my favorite films. In both that film and "Hawaii" Mr. Berger has done some of the finest modern story-telling I've had the pleasure to experience.

These are definitely NOT American films - they are slow to develop, sparse on dialogue and largely visual in nature. Those qualities by themselves make these films creative and interesting. But it is the development of both the story and the characters that really bring the films to life.

The single item that makes a film work (in my estimation) is whether or not an audience can feel that a character has come to life in the film - has come alive, feels real to us. "Hawaii" does that every bit as effectively as "Plan B." It is an additional measure of quality (and a great treat) that a film have more to say to an audience on a second, third or fourth viewing. Both of these films do that handily.

It is of particular note in this film to watch the slow building of a relationship between these two men. And, as in "Plan B", their sexuality in some respects is incidental to the connection the men in both films form. There is a breadth and depth to these relationships that seems rare these days in film.

Can't recommend both "Plan B" and "Hawaii" enough. Outstanding films.

I watched this movie last night and really enjoyed it. The two leads are attractive and enjoyable to watch, and the acting was wonderful - the unspoken attraction was very evident on their faces - and the slow build up rather than just one pouncing on the other immediately was a refreshing change.

The film's quiet scenes to me were actually a great metaphor for the unspoken attraction....how often do we find ourselves attracted to someone and longing to tell them, but remaining silent and just 'observing' them from a distance? There was a subtle beauty in the non-dialogue filled moments that allowed the actors to convey what the characters were feeling through their eyes, their smiles, etc.

This being a foreign film was, to me, a lot better than it would have been as an American made offering. I have enjoyed many American made gay films, but I have to confess that the foreign ones are, to me, overall better in story and quality, plus the gorgeous scenery of the locations are a plus as well.

Gay-themed films, which I watch a lot of, have to go a long, long way to surpass what has become my favorite in years (Esteros) but this film definitely ranks up in the pack of ones I've really enjoyed over time.

One of my favorite gay films ever. A charming tale about a young man (Martín, played by Mateo Chiarino) who is down on his luck, homeless and poor much of his life who returns to his birth town and randomly goes to work for a childhood friend (Eugenio, played by Manuel Vignau) as a handy man. The wealthy Eugenio, who is gay, takes a liking to the attractive Martin and eventually provides him with clothes and a place to stay. Eugenio subtly hits on Eugenio, who is seemingly blind to the advances. Both characters are deftly played, very nice directing and a storyline that at times is suspenseful. Won't give a spoiler but the ending is worthy sticking around for. Very enjoyable movie! Parental alert: frontal nudity by both actors, but not overboard with it.

a beautiful film. for silence and words. for the tension and new values of ordinary gestures. for the definition of friendship who explores the nuances more than significance. for the special joy, high delicacy, science to use the detail in gentle manner. a film about a meeting after long time, the search to reconquest the years of youth and the root of present dialog. sure, it is not a surprise. Argentinian cinema has many special films but this case seems be real special. for the tension who has not only sexual level. for the wise manner to use each scene as seed of the other. for the spring air , using a form of innocence who becomes the bridge between characters. a film who is not bad to see. for a rare state of emotions.