Sabor tropical

Travel, particularly to Latin America, is of great interest to me. After reading previous reviews, I was looking forward to seeing Sabor Tropical, although there was an element throughout the reviews that was vaguely troubling to me. After watching the "director's cut", I feel compelled to write a review that will spare others from an awful waste of time and money. First, most of the movie is presented as footage from a hand held video camera--the cinematography is therefore terrible. The perspective of Panama is street scenes behind one of the characters that could have been shot in Newark, New Jersey, or out of a moving car window of sky and fields that could have been in Iowa. The scenes of Carnival were shot at night with a voice over introduction that sounded like it was being read from a travel brochure. Second, the "star" is a narcissistic exhibitionist (to be kind) who is periodically referred to in the movie as resembling Colin Ferrel or James Dean--he doesn't. Finally, production values, story line, writing, acting, and directing are among some the the worst I've ever seen. Spare yourself.

Jorge Ameer's latest outing is as much fascinating as it is distinct in style. I saw this film at a theatre in Ft. Lauderdale and wondered why there were only evening shows, but as I began to watch I immediately realized why. With a reality/documentary (think "Quarantine") - follow your every move - photography, the film summarizes Brian's (played by the very talented Matthew Leitch) travels through Panama and the high energy, intensely beautiful and awesome carnival of Las Tablas. This film definitely made me want to make reservations for next years festivities. I have seen other Ameer films, but this one by far is his best. I was specially engaged in all of the hedonism and shameless pursuit of Brian's libido fulfillment. The images of the opening credits are most disturbing, yet quite allegorical and symbolic to Brian's plight in what I would call a most amazing vitriolic conclusion. What I found even more clever was the fluidity of the unfolding proceedings. It was hard to figure out what was scripted from what was improvised or true, an element I would have to say is an asset and a definite merit to the film. Don't think I should say much more about this without feeling like I'm giving the story away, so all I will say is see it for yourself.

The premise of the film is young, cocky Californian has been hired to shoot footage of the Carnival in Panama. He makes arrangements ahead of time to hook up with a woman he has met online but discovers he has been catfished after he arrives.

The blending of the story of what is happening in the Californian's life and the "documentary" he is being paid to film are woven together so completely that many people get sucked into believing it is just an odd travelogue. I was part of a film programming team that viewed this film as a prospective festival entry but most of the team felt this way. The style of the film is that masterful.

I do wonder if cutting back on the Carnival footage might have allowed the dramatic story to be clearer. You are really watching two films: One about the filmmaker and the other what the filmmaker is capturing.

Leitch is most of the film, and his portrayal of the confused, selfish California yuppy is multi-dimensional in that you see his swaggering and how that masks his insecurities and inner pain. The expression on his face in the final scene is haunting.

Yes there's no way to rate this with less than a star.

It's cute, average and uncut... And I'm talking about his "thing", not the movie.

It's absolutely pointless, just a travel journal of unknown people.

Annoying out of place music.

Badly edited and shot. Not even the Cinematography could be saved.

Imagine you find a lost camcorder from before the digital era, just to realize that the person who lost it was a very handsome guy, who loves to be naked and jerk every time he had a chance. Cool if it was a real porno, but this is pretentious and boring.

You might want to stick around just to find out why does he cry, every time he cums, but ask yourself if it's worth it.

Damn Tubi, for not letting me fast forward by only 30 seconds at the time.

The basic problem is the status of too very personal film of Sabor tropical. The good intentions are obvious but obvious is, in same measure, the narcissismus of main actor.

As intention, it is a (fake)documentary but only as intention. Not for not very inspired filming, not for interventions or for nakedness but for the feeling about a vacantion film, perfect to see near family and friends , source of jokes and good moments, fun and exclamations.

The bad thing - the film desires be more than that. And , maybe, in essence, this is the just only problem about it.

So, an easy film and, maybe, a happy / proud director about it.