End of the Century

It would be easy to criticize this first full-feature directorial effort. Not everything in this movie succeeds by a long-shot. The criticism that it's too slow and boring certainly applies to the first 15-20 minutes. It's rare when an 84-minute film should be cut by at least 5-7.

But the criticism that this is a "gay movie" is TOTALLY off-base. What makes this film worth watching is the enigmatic, non-linear story about love, partnership, loneliness, and the passage of time. The fact that the two principals are gay is actually irrelevant to who they are as people, and what "Ocho," the main character, is looking for.

Whether you leave the theater thinking wondering what is the true story (I must say no more), or thinking that it's all just a metaphor, the film is ultimately thought-provoking. After seeing a preview, my wife and I discussed it all through lunch and well beyond.

As I started to watch, I rapidly got bored with the street scenes but stuck with the film and came to realise that these were integral to the structure and direction of the screenplay. I then became apprehensive that this would turn into a Spanish-language version of the dreadful "Weekend" but let me say straightaway that this film is in a different and far better league than that farrago of pretension.

The dialogue was sharp, witty and captivating. The stories of the two guys were interesting and as the film moved unobtrusively into the past to tell their backstory things from the present day started to fall into place.

It was disconcerting at first that the same actors were playing their younger selves with no more than a change of clothing style, indeed grey hairs could be glimpsed sometimes in their beards as they talked together for the first time.

The story moved again to the future or the present day, but what present day? Had this all been an elaborate role play? Was everything in the imagination? Or was the final scene the true situation?

This is one of the few films I'll watch again in a few months time to see what else I can surmise about it. In the meantime, it has still got me thinking.

This wonderful film unwinds backward and forward to tell about a relationship between two men and the people around them. Time twists and turns as what seemed real at the time fades from memory then re-emerges in present time. A little hard to write about. You have to see it to take it all in. I have seen it more than a few times and did not get tired of watching. The cast is wonderful and the chemisty between the men is right at ever turn. Hot or cool or in between. The photography is part of the cast and plays an important role. Barcelona. Gorgeous. OK. Go see it. Write your own review.

A great movie touching on the topic "What if?" which most of us can relate to. Felt that the characters had great chemistry and the story leaves you thinking. Very enjoyable to watch and good job by the director to tell an authentic and refreshing story.

While the film never quite reaches the emotional peaks that its romance subgenre may imply, Lucio Castro's 'End of the Century' is a sexy, beautiful, and contemplative tale of a love affair that lingers in the mind.