Vancouver Queer Film Festival Review: Plan B

Well, that was pretty good: an odd little love triangle out of Argentina, with some very cute moments, excellent acting, and nice cinematography.

Well, that was pretty good: an odd little love triangle out of Argentina, with some very cute moments, excellent acting, and nice cinematography.

The story is that Bruno’s ex, Laura (who he still wants to get back together with), has a new boyfriend, Pablo. Perhaps intending revenge, perhaps just to sabotage their relationship to leave Laura available to him, Bruno starts making friends with Pablo, but the two eventually fall for each other.

I think what really stands out in this movie were the little moments. The two men bonding over a favourite TV show. Asking each other “If you were a toy, what kind of toy would you be?”—and later, as things get a little more serious, buying each other those same toys. Pablo quietly breaking into tears upon realising the game Bruno was playing. The mutual undressing scene near the end, so hilariously awkward. There was a spark there, but the men still didn’t quite know what to do with it. I don’t know if the actors were straight or just damn good at their jobs, but they really sold that scene.

Though some things were lost in translation. I’m not talking about the subtitles, but the style and aesthetics. Like most South American movies I’ve seen, Plan B’s pace is very slow, with loving attention paid to cinematography—either the beach, or the cityscapes. There was a bit near the end where, for a couple of minutes, the movie was nothing but a slow collage of buildings, each cut at least ten seconds long. It just seemed so pointless, the audience was confused, and then started cracking up. To be honest, I joined them. But looking back, I can’t help wondering how South American audiences would see that bit. Maybe there’s meaning there that I’m not getting. Or it could just be self-indulgent directing, who knows?