Hobbes1013 Reviews

They (2017)

Great visuals for a thought-provoking movie

[17 February 2019]

The cinematography and direction are gorgeous, and "They" is a constant visual feast. The premise is extremely interesting, and the movie deals with it with good taste and subtelty. So it is a bit frustrating that the narrative tends to scatter. With a better focus in the writing, "They" could have become a classic.

I Love You 2 (2017– )

Charming

[10 May 2018]

The three part miniseries takes some time to get started. But you can hang to the characters, who are appealing and sweat thanks to warm performances from the three leads. Also, the writers managed to navigate their premise, which involves deception and lying, without damaging the empathy. The claimed subject is polyamory, but some could argue that it's not really dealt with. I'm looking forward to some stories that would start where this one ends.

Banana (2015)

A good companion to Cucumber

[8 May 2018]

This companion series to Cucumber is all about embracing diversity and different characters. The episodes can be a bit uneven, but there are some real gems to look forward to. The second episode and the very special last one come to mind.

Cucumber (2015)

This comedy is as dark as it gets

[8 May 2018]

The main character, Henry, is as unapologetic as it gets. He couldn't care less about what others think of him, and doesn't crave approval at all. At least, that's what he projects and how he'd describe himself. The whole series is like that. Daring and totally unafraid to be offensive (and this will be very offensive to some) Cucumber is an extraordinarily raw and honest look at gay sexuality in an over-sexualized world. A world where the bad one and the victim aren't necessarily who you think, at first. A very worthwhile journey.

Proud (2018)

Out of its time

[8 May 2018]

First, this is so safe and timid, one has to wonder why this was produced and aired on Arte and not France 2. Let's admit they tried (very clumsily) to embrace a large audience. Still, if the third episode wasn't set in 2013, you could swear this was produced in the 90's. Fiertés (what a badly chosen title, considering the result) only is the mostly joyless depiction of the many pains that a gay man has to go through - as if a gay life was only a life of pain. But the worse part is that this limited series (pun intended) almost always choses the side of the heterosexual characters over the gay ones. As if asking for empathy from a straight audience toward gay men was impossible. Finally, the pace is severely lacking, everything is toned down to the point of total blandness, and the depiction of the working class is laughable. A serious misfire.