johannes2000-1

Unlike many of the reviews here, I wasn't that impressed with this annoyingly slow paced and depressing gay-themed drama. Donato (a Brazilian beach lifeguard) and Konrad (a German tourist, who for some reason speaks fluently Portugese) meet, when Donato saves him from drowning, but fails to save Konrad's fellow traveller. They develop a relationship, Donato follows Konrad to Germany, where he gets increasingly homesick and depressed. Some years later Donato's little brother turns up in Germany too. This covers pretty much the whole story.

The whole atmospere is bleak and grey. Both guys hardly talk, constantly brood, sulk or stare speechless into the far distance, at times they bicker or have (rather rough) sex. When the young brother shows up, things are shaken up a bit, and then there's suddenly the hint of a reconciliation and a happy end, when we see (for 5 long and tedious minutes) the backlights of their motorcycles disappear, weirdly enough not into a bright sunset, but into a dense fog (but I probably missed some deep metaphore).

Many reviewers rave over the sex-scenes, but in my (European) opinion it's all very mild: some bare buttocks and some simulated intercourse, that's it. Both characters aren't sympathetic at all, and the younger brother is downright obnoxious, so you couldn't care less what happens to all three of them. As said, the pace is extremely slow, dialogues are sparse, and there are long stretches where absolutely nothing happens. I'm sorry, the intentions of the makers were undoubtedly sincere, but for me it didn't work at all - it just felt tedious and utterly depressing.

Young Wellington, recently released from juvenile detention, penniless and homeless, is towed-in by older Ronaldo, to partake in his male escort and drugs-dealing schemes. The film pictures realistically and without restraint how demanding and dangerous this life at the dark, seamy side of Sao Paulo is, while in the meantime some sort of tentative relationship between the two men develops.

This movie is also about age: 40 plus Ronaldo has to watch how 18 years old Wellington gradually prefers the fun and unhindered life with his group of young gay friends, in stead of bowing to the protective, but strict rules of his mentor, who is forever entangled in shady financial obligations, therefore desperately in need of the money that Wellington brings in. The latter however gets fed up with this oppressing and even life-threatening responsibility, he yearns for being a carefree young adult, illustrated by adopting for himself the aka "Baby".

The movie has a very authentic and sincere feel, and both actors Joao Pedro Mariano (Baby) and Ricardo Teodoro (Ronaldo) do a great job. My only reservation concerns the fact that it's hard to relate to both characters, since neither is really sympathetic: both are in fact opportunists, considering each other, each for his own reasons, as some kind of temporary life buoy. Sure, the tears of Ronaldo at the end are real, but he is still the one that lured Wellington into this dangerous low life. And Wellington may be endearing in his at times uninhibited enthusiasm, but he also often behaves like an angry stubborn child, and in the end relentlessly chooses for himself.