This one's a beautiful, tender, quiet romantic drama with a moody atmosphere, set in a tight knit Welsh fishing community. It's a touching story about a man waking up sexually in the middle of his life, and how he, his family, and everyone around him deal with it, which makes it emotional and sentimental without ever getting over the top. The slow burn plays out against a landscape that's as bleak as it is gorgeous, where quiet, closed off men are stuck inside rigid ideas of what masculinity should be. Some people might be reminded of "God's Own Country," but I think both films are lovely in their own way. Jack is a middle aged guy who co-owns a mussel farm with his rough around the edges brother Dyfan, and the tension between the two of them is simmering under the surface right from the start. Dyfan's three sons all help out with the work, while Jack's sulky teenage son Tom keeps skipping out. Jack's been with his wife since they were both 16, and...
Harish and Latif are lovers in the town of Chennai. Latif is out to his family and apparently they even accept his relationship with Harish, but things are different for Harish. He is getting pressured to get married and he has no courage to tell them the truth. Latif decides that telling parish's parents the truth about their relationship is the only way out. They dup go home and Latif tells Harish's father about them, which, as expected outrages his father. Through a couple of encounters Latif tries to explain Harish's father how they truly love each other and this is not about sex, but the father is too worried about society and what they will say. He even takes Harish to a psychiatrist, who again explains that this is not a sickness. Eventually, the father sees the true love that these boys have for each other and eventually gives in.
Magizhvan, is the local term used in Tamil to describe gay. The plot though basic, makes sense to me. For many Indians, doing the "right" thing for their parents always comes before their own happiness and this is what's happening with Harish. For all the sacrifices his parents have done for him, he cannot bring himself to disappoint them. If not for Latif, he would never say no to get married. In fact, he even seriously contemplates it, but thankfully Latif will have none of it. Latif knows exactly what he wants and will go for it head on. The scene where Latif explains him how much he loves Harish and summarizes all the incidents and events that bring him happiness when he is with Harish was truly wonderful. Also, just about an hour long, the bearable length is a huge plus point. There are no unnecessary side stories to distract from the main issue. But from strictly a film point of view, this feels more of a documentary in treatment than entertainment. The performances are good from Latif and average from Harish and his father. I feel even the direction was slightly amateur and hopefully the future films would be better.
This film is more about making people aware that people should equating gay to sex. Gay people have same exact feelings, emotions and can feel romantic to their partners like any other straight person would. You can't control who you fall in love with. (4/10)
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