A Place to Be (2017)
10/10
A must-see DVD so real and so timely!
17 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I recommend this movie! It is awesome!

This is such an important movie because it shows us the depth of two gay men, plus their hopes, dreams, and goals. The film revolves around the connection of the two main characters, Abel and Diego, who are surrounded by family, friends, community members, and mentors. There is much more to this film than kissing and sex. As we are reminded in the film, gay men are more than just their sexuality.

This is such a timely movie because it shows us the stress and strain caused by the constant announcements of immigration officials targeting families who are in this country without papers and of border agents hunting undocumented workers in our nation. Diego struggles with this pressure, while Abel is unaware and has his own difficulties facing him.

Despite pressure from the outside world, and some of their own hang-ups and complications, Abel and Diego have a wonderful romance and a very real experience as a couple.

Not to give too much away, but Diego and Abel's morning-after-breakfast-scene-with-mom is so beautiful. It was at this point that I fell in love with the friendship of these three characters!

In addition to Abel, Diego, and his adopted mom, there are many funny, and very supportive, characters in the film. I found the relationship between Diego and his sister to be enthralling. Their love shows through so brightly in the darkness facing the characters. She knows her brother so well and it is as if he has just gone away yesterday and come right back home. She speaks to them only in Spanish, and the viewer wonders if she speaks any English. She looks at them and suddenly says, "So what's the deal with you two?" I love this character!

Both Diego and Abel have "sidekicks-maybe ex-boyfriends/tricks-buddies-clowns" who are both funny as hell. They both obviously love Diego and Abel very much in a way only people who understand their friendships and roles will truly see. I would love to see more of them. I also want to see more of Rita. It was a tease, getting to learn a little bit about her and then moving on... I wanted more of her advice and more of her wisdom.

In terms of scenery, I would have loved to see more panoramas like the beautiful old churchyard and hill. Awesome photography of steeples and of the setting, indeed.

In terms of realism, the struggles are great and believable in the film. From accounts I have heard, what happens in the truck seems to be very common in the crossings people have told me about. Unfortunately.

This is a great film! It reminds us of the power of the human spirit to endure!
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed