Undertow (2009)

the audience applauded

recommended

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Miguel is extremely selfish. He doesn't seem to be overwrought with grief when he understands that Santiago is dead, when he actually should be. Also he doesn't seem to consider much that Santiago's ghost is but fiction - or if not, suffering a great amount in the black hole that surrounds him when he is not close by to Miguel. Thirdly, he lies constantly to his wife to the point that she is sick of it (not to mention completely that he completely insults Santiago while doing so). His character could have had fewer of such fatal flaws, but I suppose that is why he loses everything at the end.A second criticism is that there are some contradictory aspects to this film. The main one is that it plays with the idea of religion and homosexuality at the same time. Why exactly does it support the concept of religion by framing the story around Santiago's soul/ghost (only possible for one who would believe in religion), yet focus on and admire something considered anti-Catholic, being homosexual? Whatever flaws the film or Miguel had, the love story was nonetheless very beautiful. I loved the moments in which Santiago is truly happy for Miguel, even though what makes Miguel happy is not related to Santiago himself (i.e. when Miguel is happy after seeing the ultrasound of the baby, when Miguel shows him the baby and is now a father). Some of their actions with each other, like the first hug that Santiago gives to Miguel - full of warmth - and the boyish, incredibly joyful smile of Miguel when they are able to walk together in public.But the most touching scene of all that gave me goosebumps for a full minute straight was the very last one. The sudden yet soft sweep with which Santiago's hand reaches for Miguel's face made me feel my heart rise all of a sudden, caught in the air. Their loving last kiss is what makes you feel like everything Miguel lost was worth it, just knowing that that flame ever existed between them.A creative, well-acted (excluding the 2 white actresses), and touching film, if not a bit frustrating. But the ending - sublime.

I had never heard of this film until about two years ago, when Netflix recommended it to me "since you liked Brokeback Mountain". I immediately took an interest in the movie due to its subject matter, and its location of a small fishing village in the North of Peru - close to Mancora, which some fellow backpackers might be familiar with as a place of surf, 24/7 party and perpetual state of inebriation. Make no mistake, this little village is nothing like that.If you have read the description of this movie on IMDb, I won't give away anything that wasn't mentioned in that description, but for those who want to go into it without knowing anything about the movie, I would skip this review for now.This filmed turned out to be one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen, boosted by amazing acting and immense chemistry between the characters. The main character is a Peruvian fisherman called Miguel, who is married to a woman, Mariela, and they have a baby on the way. However, Miguel has a secret lover, an artist from out-of-town, Santiago (the lovely Manolo Cardona, lately seen in Narcos as vice- minister Sandoval.) The film depicts the reality of living in a rural Peruvian town where the strive for a nuclear family and strict traditions are very important and homophobia is unfortunately innate.Miguel and Santiago's relationship is absolutely beautiful, complicated by Miguel's conflicting feelings between following his heart and doing the right thing as a "man" and a father in a place where homosexuality is a taboo. After Santiago dies in the early scenes of the film, he remains to haunt Miguel in body and in spirit, and we get a beautiful exploration of Miguel's guilt and Santiago's despair, since he finds himself to be unable to move forward before the lovers get closure. The ending is both immensely sad and cautiously hopeful, and it touched me greatly. This is an outstandingly romantic, tragic, heart-wrenching and unique story, which I recommend for everyone.

I wasn't as satisfied as some of the reviewers seem to be. See, the film had potential to explore subjects, but felt a bit shallow in exploring the gay theme. It didn't delve into any of the issue, but rather dealt with the main character's struggle on coming out, and how little guilt he felt when his lover died.The main character was not relatable, therefore I spent the movie wondering why he wasn't the one who died. Santiago was such a marvelous character, and rather than exploring his point of view, we were left to empathize with a selfish, one dimensional character. I just wasn't able to feel his pain at all, because he only thought of himself throughout the whole picture, and the end wasn't enough to undo all the wrongs, here.

Beautifully wrought story of a man coming to grips with his true self. Exquisite performances with Cristian Mercado absolutely riveting in the lead. This isn't a film that provides easy answers or comforting assurances, life in this village is a tough ingrained macho stronghold even though a small glimmer of progression is allowed to shine though near the end. Mercado shows the intense struggle the main character must navigate to not only make peace with a crushing tragedy but learn how to align his moral code with something that could cost him everything he hasn't already lost. Mercado isn't alone in offering a great performance everyone is very fine. Deeply affecting and well worth seeking out.