Raisons de vivre

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).

We are told about how is Marga's life. From her adolescence until she finds a job and a very good-looking boyfriend. When everything seems perfect in her life, she has a car crash and her husband dies, in addition, she is pregnant and she is fired, all in the same day. Does she lose the will of living? Of course not, because the opposite to depression is not happiness but having will of living with passion; and that's what Marga tries to do, despite all the bad things than happen to her, she will fight to live with happiness and passion. With really good actors, that, maybe are not known out of Spain, the story results very touching and it catches you from the beginning. With a very open-minded way of dealing with problems about not-very-sure gay men and a fantastic soundtrack (mainly from Ray Heredia and Paco Ortega, two great flamenco singers) it is a film that will move you and, probable, will help you to deal with your everyday problems. The only bad aspect that I may point is the fact that she is very disgraced, it is hard to have so bad luck in everything as Marga suffers in the film; it can result a little unbelievable. Anyway it is very good. If you have tendency to cry, please, be sure you have something to dry your tears!

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.