Mon meilleur ami

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.

Mi mejor amigo (2018) is an Argentinian movie shown in the United States with the translated title My Best Friend. The film was written and directed by Martín Deus.

The movie stars Angelo Mutti Spinetta as Lorenzo, a shy, quiet young man who is chosen last for sports, but who is a classical guitarist and an avid reader.

His life is changed by the arrival of Caito, portrayed by Lautaro Rodríguez. Caito is tough, muscular, and well versed in life on the street. He's the exact opposite of Lorenzo, but they still become friends.

Caito has been sent from his father's home in Buenos Aires to stay with Lorenzo's parents. He's had serious troubles, brought on by his impulsive behavior. He pushes limits every chance he can, and those chances often involve Lorenzo.

Both actors are excellent. Director Deus deserves credit for knowing how to bring their talent to the screen.

The film is subtle in the way it portrays the bonding of the young men. Actually, the entire movie has a subtlety about it. No one is a villain, no one sets impossible standards, and no violence occurs. It's a gentle film, but there's always a sense of foreboding about it. You'll have to watch it to learn what motivates Lorenzo, Caito, and Lorenzo's parents.

We saw this film at Rochester's Little Theatre. It was shown at ImageOut, the excellent Rochester LGBT Festival. This was its New York State premiere. It will work well on the small screen. Right now this movie has an IMDb rating of 8.4, which is remarkably high. However, less than 100 people have rated it, so that number could change. That high rating reflects my own thoughts about the film. I hope the rating remains high, so more people will want to see it. It's worth finding and viewing. It will work well on the small screen.

P.S. Watch for Mariana Anghileri in the unheralded supporting role of Lorenzo's mother. She's a great actor as well as being very beautiful.

There is a bit of conflict about whether this is an LGBT film. I think that is a waste of time. The film is simply that two adolescent youths have an ' attraction ' towards each other and the director has decided that the scenario should steer clear of a too obvious sexual contact. I often wonder while watching a film what happens between scenes and it is quite possible that some sort of experimentation takes place and is not shown. Mutual masturbation is the obvious act that comes to mind and at that age it does not necessarily mean ' Gay '. That is my opinion and directors and writers make choices at what to show. To put a label on the youths is useless as this is fiction and dear reviewers create your own in between acts between cuts or blackouts in cinema narratives. Hollywood ' hinted ' for years in films. And in this film there are a few hints, especially when the two look in silence at each other and the way one stares at the buffed half-naked body of the other. Imagine sex if you want to; if not do not and if it is a not then it is not an LGBT film but ' simple ' close friendship. Personally I felt it was full of romance and silent longing. The two main actors were very good in their roles and the film, beautifully made is clearly aimed at those who are not quite sure of their sexual orientation. The slightly repressed atmosphere of the Argentinian background slightly closed in on me, and the Bible is made prominent in the scenario and God, which is not exactly inducive to relaxed emotions between two young male teenagers. This should be shown in schools so as to let the age group it is there for be able to discuss and decide. As for adults make up your own minds but steer clear of being too definitive about it. A tender and fine film not to be missed.

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.

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.