A Skeleton in the Closet

This had the potential to be a good film. Sadly, the poor writing, unrealistic scenes and poor acting ruins this. Lead character was good, but it appears none of the adults have any idea what acting is (aside from reciting your lines). There was zero emotional connections to the pivotal scenes. It all seemed so forced and fake. Why include a crying scene by someone who has no idea how to show genuine emotion.

My biggest problem with this: it appears the writer gave up on this story, got tired or was under a deadline. After all the drama and trying to build something meaningful (albeit very poorly) ..suddenly, somehow, all the major problems are resolved and things neatly wrapped up in the last 2 minutes. Ridiculous!!

It's one of those films suffering 'message before substance' symptom, which many young directors share. I get it, director wanted it to be a more up-to-date family drama, where still the acceptance of truth and love eventually prevail... But as a whole, the delivery is weak and the happy-ending was in a hurry.

I like that each and every family member has distinctive character and story. But having spent so much time for various troubles in the family to finally surface, there was no real development and resolve. We are suddenly presented with all happy and smiling ending, but I had to ask if any of them actually learned anything and grew up in any way. Would Manuel be really happy back in the small hometown and with slightly overbearing family? Would his parents finally not mind letting other family and neighbours know their son is gay? Would Manuel's brother, who was more or less forced into the marriage by the situation, be really happy?

PS. Actor who played Manuel is cute, but it clearly shows that he never in his life cut vegetables or used a whisk. Cooking is supposed to be the character's real passion, and anybody on the set with a slightest idea of how to cook could have given him a 5 min lesson as how to use a knife and a whisk. Such small details determines whether a film feels real or fake.

Watched this during the Tampa International Film Fest. The storyline is good, the lead actor did a great job. Moves a bit slow and clunky at first but comes together nicely. The film is really about relationships with family and their expectations. Liked the ending.

This is a beautiful he told story that only the Spanish or French can do! BIEN HECHO!

Gayness was incidental to this film, in effect. Manuel thinks that his being gay is the cause of his problems in his family but in reality the real issue is that he has a famous brother whom his parents idolise. It causes a lot of resentment amongst the other three children when the brother is lionised and praised and the remaining siblings are sidelined.

The break up of Manuel and his boyfriend actually is an integral part of the plot contrary to what some people are saying; Without the break up, the ending would not have been possible.

I don't want to get into spoilers, but the situation with Luis and his ex seems contrived and not credible. Someone would have blabbed, especially when the situation became publicly evident.

I have little inspiration to write this review as the film didn't really move me in any deep way. It was fine for an afternoon's viewing. A bit too much filler - more ruthless editing would have been appropriate.

The ending was, for me, unconvincing. It needed major character and viewpoint changes from the parents and was mawkish and sentimental. The epilogue in the kitchen was visibly coming a mile off and I didn't find this any more part of any real development of plot or personality.

OK, I watched it all, but I'm pretty neutral about the whole affair. It just about kept me in front of the screen.