No Caminho das Dunas

First things first, its photography is stunning and there are many memorable sequences for which I'm going to search lots of gifs. Apart from that it is obviously a film based on a book. And how can you tell? Because it is not your average gay movie packed with clichés and lame stories. It is a story about a gay boy (Pim) living with a negligent mother that is still trying to be young and free. The boy develops a crush on this neighbor (Gino) who looks a lot like Harold from "Harold and Maude". We witness how the relationship between Pim and Gino unfolds. But there is more to it, we can see the relationship between Pim and Gino's sister, who has a crush on him and with his mother, who is the mother figure he does not have at home. In a place where there are not a lot of opportunities Pim is trying to find his place and his silence fills a big void.

If you go looking on netflix you will find there are dozens of gay themed movies. I ended up finding this dutch movie called North Sea Texas. You have a teenage boy named Pim. He has mother who is a singer and accordion player. She spends most of her time away from the house partying rather than raising her child. Pim spends most of his time at a neighbors house. This is where he meets a boy named Gino who he falls in love with. Pim likes to dream about things including drawing pictures of Gino.

There are some loves scenes in this movie between Pim and Gino. There is some stuff you might object to. Some people may not like the idea of guys kissing. Otherwise this movie is pretty clean. There is no violence in this movie. This is an interesting movie about teenage boys who fall in love. This movie shows a gay teenager named Pim whois a lot stronger that most people. He isn't confused in any sort of way. Pim isn't afraid to express his feelings towards Gino. This is a movie worth watching. It's a lot different that your typical love story.

The 'coming-of-age' genre is really too broad to describe North Sea Texas, the first feature film from Belgian Director Bavo Defurne. There have been many films which portray the highs and lows of adolescent gay love, but few which do so in a way which draws you into their world in such an imaginative and creative way. The awkward silences, deserted roads and the long empty beach are symbolic of the emotional isolation of "dreamer" Pim. His only refuge being the place where he feels acceptance and understanding is with his 'surrogate' family - single mother Marcella, her daughter Sabrina, and son Gino - the subject of his love.

Jelle Floorizoone, (Pim) carries the film with incredible maturity and professionalism, helped by an excellent cast of characters who add to the film's charm and depth. Empathy with Pim comes naturally, and many will have been down a similar road - though clever twists keep you guessing and, just when you think you know what's coming around the corner, it takes an unexpected turn. As the boys grow older Gino drifts away from Pim, into the arms of a French girl, culminating in a confrontation of rage on an empty wind-swept beach. "Sometimes people have to make choices" is Gino's excuse, but when his mother is taken seriously ill, he returns to find Pim at her side. Sometimes it takes the love of an understanding mother, through a simple gesture, to show that her son's choice may not be the right one.

Having first seen North Sea Texas in the cinema earlier this year, and now again on DVD, it's a film that warrants repeated viewings. Like a painting, North Sea Texas has many layers: the more you look the more you see, understand & appreciate. Emotional and uplifting, North Sea Texas is one of the most engaging & original films about adolescent gay love since Danish Director Lasse Nielsen's ground-breaking "You Are Not Alone".

Included on the DVD is a short but excellent Premiere Featurette and film trailer. Running time 01:34:19, format 2.35:1, audio Dolby Digital 5.1

If you are down, try this movie.

It's excellent creation of time and space. The actors are all believable.and this movie should have gone to the Oscars instead !

It would be nominated for best soundtrack, best picture, best actors, best photography.

Suited from 12 years old.

No violence.

Compare it with 'Get Real', and 'A beautiful Thing' but better.

It give an excellent idea how gay's explore their world in the 1950-1960's in Belgium.

First read jm10701 review of this movie! This reviewer draws a nice clear picture of the characters and plot in this odd Belgium indie film. At the beginning I was not compelled to watch this movie due to the weird little boy but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did.

Pim (the main character) is so sullen you'll wonder what's to become of him as his mother expresses no parenting skills and the only positive influences in his life seem to be the mother of his friend Gino and Pim's own imagination. So you just might want to follow Pim's story into his adolescence. (He has a catharsis moment alone on the beach in which he transitions into adulthood) There are other reviews here that are more detailed and repeating their praise is pointless.

The photography is wonderful, the mood of desperation is consistent, Pim's mother is a dead ringer for a 'Divine' look-a-like contest, and her boyfriend Etienne is as sleazy as he looks.