Beira-Mar; ou l'âge des premières fois

I understand that to make a gay themed movie in Brazil might not be very easy but in what is generally considered one of the more passionate of Latin American countries this is lacking in passion. It's not that the story is told too slowly, it just feels like the actors spent the whole movie looking forward in mild embarrassment to the" love scene" they were going to film at the end. Half way through I was wondering if this wasn't one of those movies that are accidentally labelled as gay themed just because they have a gay friend in one scene or something and then when one of the leads goes to buy beer with the girfriends boy friend it looked like maybe they were the gay couple because those two actors actually seemed to have chemistry...but no. I gave it five stars and I feel that I was very, very generous . Not great but watchable if you can't find anything better.

Here is an example of self-conscious introspection going in too many directions at once. Bad enough for the viewer trying to cope with shaky frames from hand-held cameras, even worse when the narrative slows for long, heavy pauses in either words or actions. One wonders why so many low budget films share this phenomenon. It is tempting to call out to the screen, "Get on with it, already!"

Still, there is charm in the notion that two young friends can figuratively swim their way, as ocean sounds play in the distance, through casual interruptions in a simple assignment to locate and retrieve a family document of some importance as they visit a beach house in the cold of winter. It might even be possible to salvage this film by cutting out totally irrelevant scenes that serve only to provide background for their respective characters. A filmmaker's self-indulgence in attempting to recreate a familiar story from his or her past reminds me of how quickly I run away whenever someone says, "To make a long story short..." which in fact becomes a stream of consciousness without an end.

Indeed, there is no clear end to this film. It just goes on and on.

This is a pleasantly developed story, well acted and directed. The two themes interweave - coming to see a bullying father for what he is, and using the character of a gay friend to help Martin, who is the victim of his own father's anger, arrive at freedom and self-assurance. This is one gay character who is not angst ridden, but comfortable in his own life and consequently able to be a guide and support. The final sequence shows self-doubt being finally overcome. This is not an action movie, but a story of psychological development. It is of the utmost importance when watching this film to read the subtitles carefully. The film is slow in parts because these are teenagers given time to say things they find it hard to express. There is a lot of time given to plucking up courage. A good film, and I enjoyed it.

I was delighted to discover this gem of a film. Outstanding, naturalistic performances and relatable characters. I found myself completely engaged from the very beginning of this film. Excellent casting and direction of two quality lead performances. Highly recommend this film!

"Seashore" is not a film that rushes its audience; instead, it unfolds with the quiet rhythm of the waves, a slow and delicate exploration of connection and self-discovery. The film's strength lies in its nuanced performances, particularly from its two leads, whose chemistry is both subtle and deeply affecting. The actor portraying Tomaz is especially captivating. There's a captivating authenticity to his portrayal, a naturalness that draws you into his internal world. His performance is a quiet triumph, filled with understated emotion that lingers long after the credits roll. It's a performance that invites you to lean in and truly observe, rewarding your attention with layers of unspoken feeling. "Seashore" is a film for those who appreciate the beauty of subtlety, the power of quiet moments, and the profound impact of human connection. It's a gentle tide that washes over you, leaving a lasting impression of warmth and introspection.