Language Lessons

A very creative and fresh film made by director Natalie Morales. It reveals that digital communication can definitely communicate. Of course, there is a whole new world with its intricacies and weirdnesses when one has to deal with talking through digital devices that eliminate distance and touch at once. But, two connected human beings can make it real even through artificial and unusual ways of speaking. In fact, if they speak from the heart humans can deliver the message whatever means they need to use. Great filming experience to all.

SXSW 2021 Greetings again from the darkness. The use of video chats as a plot device might have been a bit more adventurous 18 months ago, but oddly, the pandemic and our familiarity with this type of communication (out of necessity) actually works to strengthen this interesting film. It's the feature film directorial debut of Natalie Morales, who co-wrote the script with Mark Duplass, and the two co-star as the only characters we see on screen.

Ms. Morales plays Carino, a Costa Rica-based Spanish teacher hired by Adam's (Duplass) husband Will (an unseen DeSean Terry). An awkward first lesson - Lesson #1 of 100 in the package - includes Adam's morning routine of hot/cold dips in the pool and spa in the backyard of his luxurious home. Director Morales labels the lessons throughout, and no, we thankfully don't see all 100. After a personal tragedy occurs, the teacher-student dynamic shifts and becomes more therapy before settling into a strange friendship.

Between lessons, Adam and Carino exchange many personal messages, many littered with entirely too many "I'm sorry" lines in an attempt to avoid overstepping boundaries. Adam is forthcoming with his personal feelings, while Carino bounces between trying to stay professional and wanting to bond. It's clear she is hiding details of her personal life, while rarely discouraging Adam from over-sharing. The frequent personal messages reveal more about each character than the scheduled meetings, but combined they work very well.

The charisma of Duplass and especially Morales allow us to care very much about this relationship. They are both charming, and Morales has the most fun in the drunk birthday song scene. She is to be commended for taking such a simple structure and creating an interesting movie that proves people need connection - whether in person, through masks, or via Zoom.

The thing I am most upset about is how pure, unadulterated gems like this movie do not get more attention and/or theatrical releases (at least in my continent).

Without going into too much detail, this is a bittersweet comedy based in today's times (the video chat being ubiquitous) about two very different people in different parts of the world coming together.

This movie made me laugh and cry at the same time, and warmed my heart as well. The dialogue is as real as it gets.

I, honestly, do not write reviews for movies like this, but this time, I felt compelled to. Excellent! Waiting for more stuff like this from the two lead actors.

I've been studying Spanish, so I watched this movie reluctantly despite its basis in streaming video (bad memories of Zoom meetings during COVID!). I was richly rewarded: the acting was great, the characters convincing, and it was fun listening to their interactions in Spanish. (Note: don't worry -- there's plenty of English too, and of course subtitles are built in.) Yes, there were some plot holes, and yes, there were some very predictable tropes. But the story was honest, charming, and very watchable.

Loved this film! It was so "right" for what we are all going through (lockdowns, remoteness, anxiety etc) . The characters were perfect and it was almost voyeuristic, watching them. You really got to care for their characters, to like their characters and almost felt a part of their special relationship. Bravo!