THE EXCESSIVE DESIRE TO LOVE, FEARS INCLUDED.
I don't know if I'm delusional, but recently, a series of films have begun to emerge from the US (Eric & Oliver, Flowers, Scaps) that are showing us that it's possible to create good plots, beautiful stories without all the makeup and sweeteners (including the stereotypes/clichés) so abundant in their scene today. And here we have another example of this new path.
We have a short film that tells the story of someone who, with mixed feelings, tries to come closer to their teenage love. Yes, maybe this is a bit basic or simplistic, but let me tell you that considering what the US has been doing for years, this is an achievement, as are the other films I mentioned above. Sometimes we have to create simple, humble, and straightforward stories to refresh the stereotypes that cinema in general has forgotten. Even if the result isn't to everyone's liking.
The acting, while not perfect, is especially true for its lead character, who manages to convey the tortuous journey of a shy boy who can barely speak to his crush. The director captured this character's psychology so well that it seems straight out of a true story. This happens in real life, to those of us who are shy and feel a terrible fear of failure or rejection from our crushes. Achieving this isn't easy, especially when it comes from the USA. It's surprising that good cinema is starting to be achieved (although there's still a long way to go before it's fully achieved like it was before the 2000s), even if they try, with varying results for those who see it from their perspective.
At times, it becomes sweet and tender, even delicate, because of the way it was treated. A rare realism that gave it a magical scent of something going on... under the table, because sometimes what we say doesn't reflect what we feel.
If the story had lasted 30 minutes, I would have easily given it a 9, because I felt it could have been longer. Its flaw is perhaps the limited time it had. Because there are films that waste many minutes of opportunities to better explain, or at least better show, the plot they're presenting... and there are films that, due to their short running time, don't allow for more and need the same amount of time to avoid feeling like they needed more minutes to fully develop the plot their director intended to capture.
The title of my review is taken from the song "Palabras Del Alma" by Marc Anthony.
