In the Grayscale

Director Claudio Marcone has produced a beautiful film. The story, the cinematography, the actors, the treatment--it all is quite wonderful. Having just viewed another Chilean film Des/Esperando from director Erick Kirschausen and then seeing this film--made me wonder what the heck is going on in Chile that such fine films are finally making it to viewers. This is a multi-layered story and rich in texture and detail. Bruno (an architect) is a married man and father in crisis regarding his sexuality. After 11 years of marriage and career success, he has decided to take time away from his family and finally come to terms with his sexuality. Although he understands that perhaps he has always had an attraction to men, he is very comfortable with women also. So much so, that he marries and has a son and to all observers and to himself, appears to be happy. Then something inside him, we are not really sure what it is, neither is he, compels him to question his happiness and dig deeper into his desires to be with a man. We learn that the sublimation of his homosexual feelings is in part due to the pressures to conform and to be like everyone else. That along with his own code of conduct, i.e., to always try and do the right thing, have a plan and execute the plan with no deviation, may also have helped him bury his inner feelings and emotions. The famous/infamous Kinsey scale of sexuality, could be substituted for the "grayscale" I think. As you will recall from your Psych 101 course in college, the Kinsey Scale posits the theory/descriptor of human sexuality as a continuum that may change over time. The Kinsey Scale 0-6, (0 being exclusively heterosexual and 6 being exclusively homosexual), is often used as a way to describe what Kinsey observed as the spectrum of human sexuality. Bruno is perhaps a 3 on that scale and Fernando, the tour guide and historian he meets and befriends as a part of an architectural commission he receives, is a definite 6. These two coming together at a time when Bruno is reflecting on his life, creates an unexpected opportunity for Bruno to explore and delve deeper. The camera lingers in scenes as the viewer comes to live with Bruno in his search for answers, direction and happiness. Viewers may sense (I did), Bruno's true and genuine inner conflict. Ultimately, Bruno is confronted with having to choose and it is this "privilege" (as Fernando calls it) of being able to choose, that forces Bruno to decide the conflict within himself. The director and the story provides a rather unusual context and backdrop for Bruno, in that there is no right or wrong, and no judgement. Bruno's boss, his grandfather and his wife are along for the ride and amazingly give Bruno the time he needs to try and find a way to live his life, not really knowing if being with a man or being with a women will bring him happiness, peace and a sense of resolution. What we learn here is that sexuality for some, maybe most, isn't black or white (as Fernando proclaims it is for him). For some, it becomes a conflict requiring a rational, conscious choice with no certain outcome or guarantee of happiness or peace. The selection of one road or the other, provides little if any consolation or confirmation that the road chosen was as good or better than the road not taken. This is good cinema. This is life. Watch it!

Great coming of age story with good actors and a good storyline that revolves around a married man, Bruno, who is at a crossroads in his marriage and takes some time off to figure things out. He then meets Fer, a young tour guide who only sees love and relationship in black or white, and not the grey area that Bruno seems to represent.The story is simply told and some might not like the ending, but it's fitting for the premises of the movie so I was satisfied with it despite the fact that it doesn't resolve Bruno's Dilemma.Definitely recommend. The movie takes place in Santiago so having been there, it was nice to recognize a few places.

How refreshing to watch a movie with a multi-angular plot yet one that dedicates enough of its story to a G/L theme with serious questions asked and serious answers being given - and what I mean by this is that the protagonist is forced to make both the ultimate as well as other, less dramatic, choices all along the film. The ending is just right - leaving doors open and visually presenting the audience with a symbolic metaphor of what could and most probably would happen at the ultimate ending of this story, beyond the rolling credits. The acting is superb by all actors and especially by Francisco Celhay... This is a winner... Not to be missed!

Extraordinary film. A brillant character study of a man struggling with his sexual identity. Very true to life and never sentimental. The two men in love are entirely believable in their respective roles. It is easy to identify with the struggles of the two men. The supporting roles are realistically portrayed.

Really wanted this to be a better film as I struggle with Kinsey's theory on male sexuality and deep down, I believe the "gray scale" is an escape route for men afraid to be the man God made them...GAY. The film dilemma addresses too little too late, and if Bruno only heeded the advice I think his grandfather gifted him, the ending might have been different. But, it wasn't and I guess, true to form, everyone suffers; especially they gay lover: the punished and the victim.Actually, the early exchanges between the two male leads are romantic, even sexy, and reminiscent if you've had these kinds of personal, nostalgic experiences. Culturally, the film's story line, in essence, does not surprise as it feeds into some fairly accepted stereotypes about a culture where men appear more comfortable dabbling in male-male sexual relations with little or no responsibility for their consequences on others. My candor on this subject has appeared in some of my previously submitted reviews and apparently offended those naive, weak, and unexposed to life's truths.Finally, the lead male character is "boy next door" beautiful... tall, possessing a pair of extremely kissable lips, masculine and sexy hands and feet, and an impressively inviting penis. One star is solely for his physical features.Maybe the film deserves one additional star just for its optics...

What a brilliant movie, in all respects. The actors give a very naturalistic performance, and the ending is free of any fantasy. In other words, the movie is realistic without ever being overly sentimental. The cinematography is artistic, in keeping with the characters' professions: guide/historian, and architect. I almost glossed over seeing this film because so many of these gay love stories are so poorly done, but this one is a real gem. Yes, naturalistic is the word which describes the feel of this gem--naturalistic and humanistic. It reverberates with honesty and realism.

This was well done- the performances were complicated and believable. I am not sure if I agree with the message- it seems to be rather damning of the possibility for a bisexual to find happiness... always searching for a bridge between two lives that will never be built... but it was well done and thoughtful.