hddu10 There are many conceptual films where upon viewing, one gets the sense that a) the same message could have been encapsulated in a short film or b) much more needed to be said and the characters further developed in a feature length. The Way He Looks (English title) is one of those unique endeavors where you could watch either this feature film, and/or it's short-film version "Hoje nao quero voltar sozinho" and be equally mesmerized and enchanted with the acting, direction, dialogue and overall theme. While the actors (thankfully, all the same) are much younger in the short film (shot 4 years prior), the message and intensity is still very much the evident, albeit on a much lighter and more whimsical scale. The feature length is definitely a lot heavier, in that it deals with some harsh subjects, namely teen angst and the potential for cruelty among adolescent youths, especially ones who prey upon the handicapped. Because of this, what the feature length "lacks" in innocence, it makes up for in "triumph". I'm giving this 9 stars because there is a bit of gratuitous nudity in the feature length film, which personally put me off since in my mind I was still thinking of these actors as "kids" from the short film and found it a bit exploitative. But truly, this is a masterpiece for all involved.

Brighton Dude This is a very sweet film. I certainly enjoyed it. I found myself googling to see if Ghilherme Lobo, who plays Leo, is actually blind himself. I don't think he is but he was very convincing.As well as the drama between the two main characters in the film, Leo and Gabriel (Fabio Audi) there is also powerful drama in the relations that Leo has with his parents and of course the problems faced by his being blind but having to make his way in the sighted world.The portrayal of the lower middle-class society that the drama is set in is also really first class.The film is nicely directed, scripted etc. I think just about anyone will enjoy this film.

longhoanghmu The movie has a familiar topic as seen in many recent LGBT movies, thanks to promotion campaigns for LGBT people and the more open social viewpoint. Thus, throughout the movie, people will experience a gentle feeling about life. No scandals, no climax, and just a lovely ending.Stories about student's love often go this way. A new classmate of a boy falls in love with him, and they eventually get together. But it doesn't really mean that you only need to watch some beginning and some ending minutes.The Way He Looks is more special because Leo is a juvenile blind boy who intensely seeks independence to prove that he's not inferior to those normal boys out there. Fate brings Gabriel close to him. No need for special events, just some daily activities at school, and they start to feel for each other. People will enjoy watching Gabriel accompanying his cute friend all the time, to find out that there are chances for them to express their feelings but nothing has been made.The last scene when the boys stay together in Leo's room is so romantic. As mentioned, there are no special things put into the movie, but people will still love the way Gabriel asks Leo, the way Leo touches Gabriel's face and kisses him, the way the boys hug each other, and even their sounds of breathing. No sexual feelings, just a very pure sense of young love.Neither of the boys are very handsome; however, their actions are extremely effective. They express no feminine behaviors, but people can still feel something distinguishable between the boys' roles in their relationship. The director has been so delicate that he deeply understands which kind of spices to mix into the film.The remained feeling after the movie is a lightly impressive happiness. People will remember vaguely that this love is formed by a friendship, and the boys have overcome some small issues to reach to each other. They will love the boys' contribution to each other. Leo is blind, but his heart and his love are so bright.

ciffou It's a nice movie for teenagers, but it is packed with clichés. The first warning sign for me was that Gabriel only listened classic music and then you have "Spiegel im Spiegel". I don't know if that song is more over-used than "Breathe me" by Sia, but it certainly feels like it. Then we have the guys at school. Come on! We've seen them so many times before and nowadays of course youth can be cruel but with Gabriel it wouldn't be as explicit as it is here to mark them as "the bad guys". It would make more sense if it were the microagressions that made him feel weird and out of place, after all he wants to be treated like everybody else and fly alone. I didn't suffer with the movie but I don't think there was enough material for it to be more than a short film.