Raisons de vivre

Alfonso Albacete and David Menkes, the directors of this movie, want us to believe that a gay man can live a life of a straight person if only he meets the right woman, which seems to be the point of this comedy. "Sobrevivire", while not a horrible film, by any means, answers its own question when at the end, the young man can't resist the attraction of another man, leaving the unhappy woman to deal with her new reality by herself.

Marga, the young woman at the center of this picture sees her whole life change when Roberto, the love of her life, falls asleep at the wheel killing himself and almost causing her death. To make matters worse, Marga loses a nice job because her friend, who is having an affair with one of the bosses, wants her out of the picture. What's a beautiful woman of no means to do? Open a video rental place!

Marga meets Inaqui one day at the video store she is now running. It's obvious he likes her too, but little prepares us to realize that Inaqui has another life, a gay one, at that. He likes Marga, and she feels the attraction too. They become lovers until one day Inaqui sees his former boyfriend and goes back to his old life. The story is hard to believe.

Emma Suarez is a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, this film doesn't do anything for her. Juan Diego Botto, another handsome actor, does whatever he can, in a role that sounds fake from beginning to end.

Despite the fact that gay love between two couples is not the central theme, I must admit that this movie removed some hidden feelings in my passages that I had forgotten about love. Love is not about preferences or tastes, but giving and receiving from the bottom of your heart regardless of gender, race, religion, etc. This film is full of very beautiful scenes about that unconditional love between human beings where hatred, rancor, envy has no place. I consider this movie as one of the most outstanding in the world of the Spanish Cinema, its music full of gypsy singing with sensuality and an incomparable sweet flavor where passion and the most beautiful feelings of the heart are mixed. So Arriba Spain for this recapitulation of love!

I WILL SURVIVE is, in short, the best possible result of what a recent American movie with Madonna and Ruppert Everett could have been. This European version with less famous (worldwide) stars, though very well-known on their local turf, is the classic example of ground which continues to be solidly on the other side of the Atlantic. The Europeans consistently put out intelligent sex/love-themed comedies while North Americans continue to fall short of the mark in this genre. If you don't understand this, check out I WILL SURVIVE, currently making the "Festival" Circuit in North America. The natural approach taken to nudity, sexual orientation, frank discussions of love and sexual dilemmas, and unsanitized situations (while still taking place in the upper classes of society) contrasts stridently with Hollywood fare. Ultimately, the contrast might be explained by the Puritanism which still permeates North American morals. However, the fact still remains that smarter, better, and just as glossy (if not glossier) comedies continue to come from Spain and France, in particular. If you need proof, don't miss I WILL SURVIVE.

A couple of reviewers here have commented that they found it unbelievable that a "gay" man would have a sexual and emotional romance with a woman. However I found the story's plot to be completely believable.

It is a fact of life that a significant percentage of those who identify as "gay" or "lesbian" are also attracted to the opposite sex - some more than others. Few would identify as "bisexual" (which some presume to be an almost equal attraction to both men and women), but their "right" person could indeed be a very special man or a very special woman (if their hearts and minds were open).

Many gay men (myself included) and lesbians consciously prevent bisexual behaviour by refusing to let themselves respond to the opposite sex flirting or opportunities. I identify strongly with Iñaqui's experience and to me "I Will Survive" is memorable as one of the finest examples of fiction which explores the reality of bisexuality.

Iñaqui and Marga have the courage to test the full potential of their relationship (however unlikely it may be to endure) - very much like the passionate lead roles in the superb BBC2 series "Bob and Rose" (by Russell T Davies).

I really like several scenes when Inaqi walks Marga to her apartment. I felt as if I was watching them right in front of that apartment building. It makes me feel so sentimental. I am sure that they probably took those different scenes in the same day or continuously until they were finished. When it rains, the rain adds even more emotion to the apartment building.

I can't believe that this film was released in 1999, that was ten years ago. It still has the contemporary touch.

The gay flight attendant's dancing is not very good, a little cheesy which made that scene funny. His body is not very ripped. Then again, most people look like that. And his briefs is a little too loose. Same thing applies to the guy who Inaqi met in the fitting room, his briefs is also a little too loose. If it was done by the Hollywood people, I am sure that they will pick someone with real muscles and wears tight briefs.

Overall, this is a very good movie. I am surprised that only so few people have voted and left comments for this movie. You don't have to be straight or gay to watch this movie, searching for love is something that everyone wants to do.