Language Lessons

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.

Surprisingly complex & emotional. Not what you would think after the initial lighthearted beginning. It's not just another "zoom" film but an intimate, heart-wrenching and heartwarming film about connecting with people (esp with people you met online) and how can it change your life in bits and pieces.

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.

Quite the hard-hitting drama that uses videoconferencing software in an effective way (compared to inane horror movies), and at times felt so human it hurt. Parts of this were like the Duplasses and Natalie Morales (who is so good in this) had an inside track into my psyche/history. And there was a good amount of humor to leaven what very quickly becomes serious subject matter, of importance to this particular moment in time for sure, but also eternally applicable. This is the story of how we get to know, care for, and love each other, regardless of circumstance. I just thought it was beautiful, and I hope it gets recognized in some way.