Mario

This film tells the story of two up and coming professional football players falling in love.

I loved this film because it tells a sweet romance, and also a very tough choice. The choice is very real because homophobia in professional sports is a well known phenomenon. Yet, it is a topic that is rarely touched upon in films. The actor playing Mario is a very good actor, because he displays emotions through his eyes, face and body. He convincingly tells his pain without the need for any words. "Mario" is an effective film that brings me to feel his joy and pain. I definitely recommend this film.

Very topical story of gay footballers (in the closet). Quite a gentle film rather than hard hitting. Beautiful cast, beautiful locations - are there no ordinary looking gay guys/footballers?!

One very simulated very shortsex scene (you really see nothing) doesn't warrant an 18 certificate which is really disappointing and cuts off an important potential younger audience from this film.

Bit of a cliched ending in my book - have seen this type of ending many times but as I said its not a hard hitting film.

Worth watching just because there has been nothing like this out there before around football

"Mario" isn't the first film to tackle the subject of what it must be like to be gay and a professional footballer and while it's no classic, it is a vast improvement on "The Pass". Of course, it's also a love story and as such it's nicely done. Mario and Leon play for the same team as strikers; they also share a flat and they hit it off from the start. Actually, it's probably all a bit too convenient that they're gay and fancy the football shorts off each other and I'm sure it's no co-incidence that both Max Hubacher, (Mario) and Aaron Altaras, (Leon), were cast as much for their looks as their acting abilities.

However, where the film scores, (no pun intended), is in taking the whole issue of homosexuality in football seriously. Mario and Leon's sexuality gets out and has to be denied. The club, supposedly, is behind them, their fellow players make homophobic jibes, if it becomes public their careers would be over etc. It's an issue largely ignored in the cinema so it's good to see it being dealt with now. At two hours it's still a little on the long side but it's well written and directed and both leads are fine, particularly Hubacher who brings considerable depth to the part of Mario and who obviously has quite a future ahead of him. As an addition to New Queer Cinema it is also both bitter-sweet and prevalent.

I gave this a 9/10 just because I didn't like how the movie ended. Not to say it shouldn't have ended the way it did but for me it didn't seem finished. The movie was good, the actors had chemistry, and the acting was good. Their relationship was sweet and complicated for their given careers; for me the ending wasn't enough.

WOW.... Watched Mario last night, and it was utterly bang on. 9 stars, and one of the best gay films I have ever seen. The acting was sublime, especially by the two leads, and much of the supporting cast were excellent also, and the direction was almost flawless. Others may disagree, but I thought the ending was realistic and very well handled given the context of the story. Similarities with the very excellent Free Fall. As a gay football fan, also enjoyed the setting and onfield action. However, totally baffled how Mario attracted an '18' rating. Bollocks to that. In my Top 5 all-time gay films.