High Tide

High Tide is one of those movies that isn't exactly bad, but it also doesn't give you much to hold on to. The story drifts along without ever reaching a strong emotional current. It's not boring enough to make you leave the room, but it's not gripping enough to make you remember it the next day either.

The performances are fine, the visuals are pleasant, and the pacing is... acceptable. Nothing stands out, nothing offends, nothing really excites. It's the kind of film you watch once, nod politely at, and then never think about again.

In short: High Tide is serviceable background entertainment - not a waste of time, but definitely not essential viewing.

One could drown in the sea of available titles to watch in the current cinema, yet Marco Calvani's 'High Tide', the story of a heartbroken Brazilian emigre in Provincetown on an expiring tourist visa so distinguishes itself from the other grains of sand on the beach as to reach terra firma. Beautifully shot and subtly acted, this film feels more like the work of a mature director, not a freshman debut. Provincetown, in its cedar-shingled and pea-gravelled splendor deserves a supporting actor credit for shedding her silvery New England light on the mortal proceedings. Bill Irwin and Marisa Tomei lead the pitch perfect cast, while the center of gravity, Marco Pigossi (Lourenco) so honestly inhabits his character as to make the film his documentary. James Bland's Maurice as the too-good-to-be-real love interest provides the plot propellant, but his meltdown for being mistaken as a total top just didn't ring so true. Bland's film presence is anything but, and his character more than redeems his missteps by the time all is said and done. Indulge this reviewer noting Maurice is from my hometown of Richmond. All understood, all forgiven.

'High Tide' is emotionally rewarding in its own right, but takes on additional gravity in the context of our immigration system and the new administration's plans to sink it. High tide indeed.

I'm glad there wasn't a razor nearby when I was watching this movie. There was so much sadness and darkness. I get it ... that's life sometimes, but you have to have some balance in life and this movie was missing that. The actors did an OK job at bringing their characters to life, but the direction was slow ... or perhaps I should say SSSLLLOOOOWWWW. I kept thinking, gee how long is this movie? This movie really could have gone a lot of ways. It's just too bad it went the way it did.

I saw this at the IFC Center during its opening week in NYC, and I was charmed by it. The intercut scenes did a great job of establishing the setting, and the relationships between the characters were nicely layered. The sex scenes were artfully done and evocative. The story of a Brazilian immigrant in P-town is not high drama, but it is human, and on that level, it did a great job of throwing the spotlight on gay culture and the theme of wanting to escape one's life, through dancing, swimming, drugs, or relief work in Angola. The casting was interesting, the performances very realistic, the cinematography beautiful, and the montages worked well. My husband missed much of the show because he lost his ticket and had to get up to use the bathroom, and he felt the plot was predictable. I however could not have predicted what happened at the end, I don't think he could have either.

Marco Calvani captures the beauty and pain of a contemporary gay man ( Marco Pigossi) in Provincetown who is at a crossroads in his life. Excellent performances and never heavy handed, High Tide sensitively navigates the main character's journey and takes the audience along for the ride as it unfolds. Wonderful cast all around and great supporting performances from Marisa Tomei and Bill Irwin. The film has such a lush look about it as Ptown is clearly another character here. We get a sense that down this garden path is just one story of so many in this fascinating mysterious coastal town at the end of the world. Inspired and truthful, I thoroughly enjoyed being taken on this ride and very much look forward to where Calvani will go from here.

Don't want to add too many spoilers but it rings true to me- a man from another country who wants to be free to live his life truthfully and find love after a painful break up. But he's bound by family ties and tradition and struggling to fully come out to those he loves back home. Expectation, disappointment and regret. The shame of not being free to be totally open even in our time is fascinating. As much as society has changed - the pain and difficulties of coming out fully to one's self and one's family is still present. I appreciate seeing this captured so effectively as I often have this argument in life when people talk about how being gay isn't an issue anymore and that it's accepted everywhere.

As someone who had their own difficulties coming out years ago, and also as an actor who has played parts of men struggling with sexuality and identity it really resonated with me so I wanted to write a review here.

I hope the film gets the attention it deserves. I'm sure it will have a nice life on demand. Kudos to the filmmakers and casting and the work of Marco Pigossi who navigates the central role with such love and compassion and sensitivity. He and the director have created something really special in his performances.