Meu Melhor Amigo

A subtle film which tales a friendship story between 2 teenagers that everything seems to oppose. Lorenzo is benevolent, empathetic and sometimes impetuous. He lives within a strict although serene and convivial environment. In short, a fairly quiet life in Patagonia. In contrast, Caito is calm, shy, not prolific in words and unpredictable. Indeed, he learned to live alone, without being accountable to anyone. A life significantly more difficult within a drug-and-prison environment.

Although they are fundamentally different, they will learn to understand, help and appreciate each other. The beginning of a deep friendship filmed with subtlety.

Even if the movie takes place in Patagonia, it's not a remake of Brokeback Mountain. The landscapes are perhaps similar but, in my humble opinion, the analogy stops right there.

Though not your stereotypical feel-good, happy-ending, first-love LGBT film, this film definitely shows a situation, I believe, more common of homosexual coming of age. The angst and frustration of unrequited first love towards an often times unsuspecting, hetersexual youth.

Adolescence is strange and difficult enough without the extra measure of finding attraction in something not socially understood or accepted.

While fraternal love is beautiful in itself, it is made to feel tainted by the added homosexual impulses felt by the lead character causing him to question his integrity.

This main male character. who is gay. is dealing with the dilemma of having not just 'normal' feeling for another male who is heterosexual, but 'un-normal' feelings for his friend as well.

Though his intentions and empathy for his friend are pure, he feels clouded by his other emotions and is left to grapple with the confusion of his competing motivations for closeness to his friend.

I found this film very nuanced, and intelligent. Not just another cookie-cutter coming of age inspirational LGBT story.

I hope future films will stop duplicating the tried-and-tested, cookie-cutter LGBT films, and continue to stray from the now stereotyped image being portrayed of LGBT existence. Just as with all other experiences, the LGBT experience is extremely varied, and needs to be expressed as so.

This film is an example of the newly recognized, complicated feelings and emotions during adolescence. While unrequited love in our young age is not unique to LGBT youth, it takes on added layers, and is quite worthy of being reflected upon and untangled on the screen.

If you enjoyed "Moonlight", you'll enjoy this. Another quiet gem of a movie that doesn't require constant talking to get its point across.

The actors, especially the boy who plays Lorenzo, are terrific at communicating non-verbal. It's not a complicated story, but more an emotional exploration of the characters' relationships and how they develop. Be prepared to not get the ending you may be wishing for...but that only adds to the movie's more realistic interpretation of how life doesn't always turn out the way we expect.

I'd rather watch a well-done character study like this than another stupid explosion-filled Hollywood flick any day.

I happened to run across this film on cable and was impressed with its subtle approach to a familiar situation. How many films are shot in the bucolic Argentinian Patagonia? A troubled young man is sent to live with a charming family that includes teenage son Lorenzo. It isn't long before tensions begin to surface. Angelo Mutti Spinatta has the complex role of Lorenzo and his performance is remarkable.

Lovely and gentle little film. It is not the stereotypical gay movie as it is only capturing the first unrequited love most of us have experienced in our early life. The leading boy actor is excellent.