Papi Chulo

Let me first start off by saying I'm not gay and don't typically watch movies with gay images or titles. With that being said, I'm glad I didn't pass this one up. Definitely my favorite movie thus far this year.

We all grieve in different ways, but this one hit home. I mean how many of us try to open a new door without closing the existing one.

The acting was superb. The Mexican (Ernesto) reminds me of my uncles and grandparents in his work ethic and conscious of what they're being paid for.

I was lucky enough to see the European premiere of 'Papi Chulo' at the London Film Festival. And what a wonderful movie this is. On its face, the tale of a lonely weatherman and the connection he develops with the Latino day laborer he hires to do some painting, on a deeper level it is a moving exploration of loneliness. Do not let that put you off, however. This is not a depressing movie; it has moments of true, laugh-out-loud comedy as well as moments of real tragedy that lead finally to a warm, hopeful ending.

All the performances work. Alejandro Patiño is very good as a man of basic decency and honesty who finds himself in some awkward situations and reacts in the best way he knows how - or, frankly, anyone could be expected to. But the movie hangs on Bomer's performance - he is in almost every scene - and he delivers and then some. Everything about the performance hits the mark, from heartwarming comedy to heartbreaking tragedy, Bomer clearly went all in, but avoids histrionics to bring to the screen a visceral, moving, touching portrayal of a man struggling to deal with grief and immense loss the best way he knows how. In a more mainstream movie (and a fairer world), I honestly believe this performance would garner awards attention.

John Butler's writing and direction are all thoroughly accomplished, exploring big themes via his main character's contained, personal story. The screenplay is beautifully paced, never rushing but never slow. There are highlight scenes both at the comedic end of the spectrum (the 'singing Madonna in the taxi' scene manages to be both moving and funny) and at the tragic (some of Bomer's finest moments in the film).

There is nothing showy about this movie - there's no big budget or effects - but it does what it sets out to do perfectly. I very rarely give a 10 to anything, but I give one to this because I honestly can't think of anything that could be improved within the scope of this film's ambitions. It is a thoroughly satisfying movie-going experience: it provides laughter and tears, gives food for thought on multiple fronts, and finds its way to a satisfying, but not trite, ending.

Congratulations to all involved. I hope this movie finds distribution deals that allow as many people as possible to see it in theatres, and fingers crossed for streaming distribution that will allow the millions of people to see it that it deserves.

This movie is about a weatherman who is coming in terms with being alone and lonely after losing his partner. Matt Bomer has done different kind of movies over the years and this one is no different. He displays a complex character who goes from being kind and sad to awkward and kind of creepy and back to kind and sad. Unfortunately this movie chooses to show an immigrant as an emotional teddy bear.

John Butler both wrote and directed this sensitive film that tenderly explores the space that friendship secures despite hypothetical barriers of language, culture, gender identification and social mores. This is a film that is not only entertaining and well acted and directed, but also is a much needed platform for examining the prejudices that at times interfere with civility when those responses can be (and so often are) healing. Sean (a luminous Matt Bomer) is a gay Los Angeles television weatherman whose anguish over a 6-month separation of his ex-lover Carlos results in an on-camera breakdown. His TV crew encourages him to take a rest - a break from his broadcast duties - and spend some time talking to someone for support in his chronic loneliness. Sean decides to change his life, at least as far as his home atmosphere, by giving away Carlos' potted tree on his deck - the removal of which leaves a painted blemish that Sean decides to correct. This mission opens the gate to his picking up a middle-aged migrant Latino day worker - Ernesto (Alejandro Patiño) - to help him, and despite the language barrier the two become friends: Sean over-talks on hikes, rowing on MacArthur Park Lake, parties, eateries, and gay parties and Ernesto sensitively provides listening companionship. When Ernesto doesn't appear one day, Sean turns to drinking and trying to find Ernesto in his Pico Rivera living area, only to fall (literally) into Ernesto's backyard during a Quinceanera party and is cared for by Ernesto's family - a kindness Sean later repays as 'room and board'. During Sean's recovery he tries Grindr, and the hunky Ryan Guzman appears at his door: Sean is emotionally unable to respond to the encounter. Time passes. All's well that end's well - as when Ernesto's child knocks on the front door, followed by Ernesto, to fix the still unpainted deck. 'Sometimes a stranger makes the best friend.' A small but very fine cast support Bomer and Patiño and the result is a touching film that offers a fine view of interpersonal relationships - despite some barriers.

I discovered this movie just randomly, while I was looking something to watch. Matt Bomer, that I remebered acting in White Collar and the fifth season of AHS, pushed me to watch it. I had really low expectations, I never heard about it, and I did not even watched a trailer, so I did not know what I was going to watch. I was surprised at the end: it is very enjoyable, and it treats some really serious topic, in a easygoing way, which is not easy at all.

Sean is a forecast reporter that suddently find himself completely alone. He needs to repaint the dock of his house and he hire this latino mam named Ernesto. The two start to have a connection that very quickly develop into an amazing friendship, that will help Sean to get over a very difficult moment in his life.

Mat Bomer and Alejandro Patiño portrait two men that, despite their differences, can bound together by demolishing every wall and social prejudice. And the movie is centered completely on them, it develop very nicely their relationship from the beginning, until the end. I never felt bored: every scene has the right timing, secondary characters only need to add a little bit of dynamicity, but they have the right space.

Papi Chulo is an entertaining movie and you will pass a pleasant one hour and a half. I really suggest this movie if you just want to relax, by watching at the same time a smart one.