Em Outros Tempos

The central characters give two of the most captivatingly watchable, magnetic acting performances I have seen in quite a few years.

This is a bitter sweet romantic story of first love/ infatuation which is unfolded slowly but with great charm and feeling. The script and acting are subtle, astutely observed and ultimately very moving. Some of the small details - like the way Adam imitates Kol's sighs, or the stolen glances of attraction across the car demonstrate beautiful observation, the substantial skill and impactful screen presence of the actors and a very well crafted script.

Overall I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film - I ended up watching it twice in a couple of days.

I found this film to be mesmerizing.

The film begins at a frantic and somewhat hysterical pace but shortly after tetreats into a long dialogue between two young men. The director focuses with close ups of both men Their expressions and their magnetic attraction to each other gradually become apparent. The actors handled the long periods dialogue with incredible skill and sublety. Their performances are some of the best film acting I've seen in a long while.

This film is deeply romantic but also profoundly realistic. Interestingly the actors do not wear any makeup during most of the film.

In short, it is a beautiful, realistic and heart felt film experience.

Greetings again from the darkness. One of my (many) pet peeves involves movies where we are supposed to believe a couple finds eternal love after barely spending any time together. Now I fully understand some artistic license must be taken in love stories, as there are only a couple of hours to work with, but the challenge is making the audience believe it. For the films that do it right, it's a thing of beauty.

Macedonian-Australian writer-director Goran Stolevski handles this expertly in his first film since the excellent (and much different) YOU WON'T BE ALONE (2022). A frenetic opening pace has 17 year old Kol (Elias Anton) panicking when his best friend Ebony (Hattie Hook in her first feature) phones after a wild night of partying. The two are supposed to be in the finals of an amateur ballroom dancing contest. Kol gets a ride from Ebony's older brother Adam (Thom Green), and as the two search for Ebony, a natural bond begins as easy conversation covers numerous topics. When Adam matter-of-factly admits he's gay, Kol's nervous energy shifts into overdrive.

This bond only has a 24-hour window to blossom, as Adam is headed to South America for graduate studies. But what a 24-hour period it is. The two men continually cross paths, and so much is conveyed with very few spoken words. Glances, body language, and eye-contact are all that's needed. That opening period takes place in 1999, and we then jump ahead to 2010. My, how time and age changes things ... and yet, doesn't.

We often see the fallout from unrequited love, but what of 'partially' requited love? Few films have better captured longing and emotional pain. We feel the aching and see it on Adam and Kol. Many scenes take place in a car, adding to the closeness and feeling of magnetic pull. For me, director Stolevski utilizes a few too many close-ups, although the approach does add to the intensity of some moments. The film may not be heavy on plot, but the emotions are strong enough to keep us invested.

Opens in theaters on February 10 and expands on February 17, 2023.

The absolute best movie i have ever watched. It's completely life changing and a comfort movie. I am never the same when i watch it. The overall cinematic experience is astonishing. This movie is not talked about enough for its breathtaking atmosphere and story. The queer representation is gorgeous and i cannot explain how the connection between kol and adam makes me feel. If i had to watch a movie over and over again for the rest of my life, it would definitely be of an age. I wish there was a sequel to the movie showcasing their love for each other even more. The last line of the movie always breaks my heart and i can only wonder how their lives continue. I love this movie sm.

This is an outstanding Australian film, the lead actors Thom and Elias give phenomenal performances with some outstanding wit and humour that balances the heartbreak and devastation that both men feel. Rarely do I walk away from watching a film that felt like I had been given the chance to be part of the lives of two people, that was this film. It is a very sad film that depicts the impact people can have on one another in a raw and really realistic way. The aspect ratio didn't bother me, I wonder why people struggle with that but I felt it made you focus more on the characters in front of you. Fantastic film that I highly recommend to anyone, not necessarily only gay men.