Plan A is 'make a great film that runs under 90 minutes'; PLAN B is 'make a great film'. By all rights Director Marco Berger's tale of an Argentina man's plan to win back his girlfriend by wooing her new love interest should have had me hitting the FF with its long, extended takes and silent montage sequences. But the acting by the two leads and Berger's bravado in not rushing his tale of unlikely romance pays off. It takes the full 100 minutes - so stay with it - but I found this film genuinely compelling - sometimes irritatingly so. I wanted to say 'who cares' and hit the OFF button but the guys are so truthful and down-to-earth that even the implausible premise seems perfectly likely. Mark PLAN B a success.
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NJMoon31 October 2010
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EdgarST7 July 2011A fine motion picture about male friendship taken to the physical plane and turned into a homoerotic relationship. Certainly the undercurrent was there (as seen in the last reel), moving the characters together rather unconsciously, but the liaison had not been expressly planned. In my opinion, the script has a few shortcomings, starting with the initial proposition: a young man who cannot win back his ex girlfriend, decides to seduce the guy she is having an affair with. That is the "excuse" to develop the story of how two normal guys find out they love each other, first just as candidly as two 12-year-old kids would love each other, and then making it grow as adults, just as plain lovers. I had my doubts about watching it, but after it was finished I was more pleased than hypercritical. My problem with most films with homosexual stories is that I believe they hardly get close to what the "real thing" is: many are advertising campaigns for the unwary; others, plain pornography, and far too many, soap operas with stories that probably would get better after The End, and so on. "Plan B" goes beyond these stereotyped formulas, and tries something different for a change. Nicely acted by the two lead players, with a cast of (apparently) non-professional actors that makes things more believable. Give it a try, no matter what your sexual orientation is.
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michaeleb102528 January 2013This small film with a microscopic budget has a few flaws, but after a number of viewings, you see everything it has to offer. Very romantic and emotionally gratifying, it is a film of subtlety and minimalism. Moving very slowly, the main characters grow towards each other and become quite intimate. Certain scenes have a more intense effect with each successive watching. It explains that being gay is about who you love and not who you just have sex with. Needless to say I really like this film and it is now one of my favorite gay films. No heavy message, it just tells a story about how two ordinary unpretentious people fall in love. That can be very rewarding in itself. So many gay films are such drivel trying to be cute and precious like a typically bad episode of Will and Grace that its nice to see something realistic and intelligent. I recommend it along with Wilby Wonderful and Patrik 1.5.
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adamsoch-16 November 2010Plan B is a captivating movie about feelings and the struggle to be honest, at least to yourself about them. An amazingly complex matter we all go through many, many times in life. Skillfully directed and edited by the Argentinean first timer Marco Berger, the film is an emotional statement of sexual confusion, artistically created by a team of young dedicated and intelligent friends. Two other amazing films comes to mind after watching this extraordinary work of art; Alexander Sokurov's Mother and Son and the young and talented Romanian Corneliu Porumboiu's Politist, Adjectiv.
This film is not for everyone, but bright heterosexual people will find it very honest and even valuable. You just do not know what will they do next and will question why are these two nice straight guys get it on? Because sexuality is complex by nature and societies made it even more difficult for them to express what they are feeling and Marco Berger knows that. It seems like the Kinsey Scale is hard at work in this film, where the numbers they belong is keep shifting, but as a spectator, never for a moment lost interest or joy in the beautifully composed scenes especially when they are at sleep or just standing and waiting for something to happen naturally. Your finger might be on the fast-forward side of the remote control, but if you are a true film lover "you will not! touch that button." The joy and artistry are coming from these long, beautiful and important takes and cuts. The film takes its time to let those feelings and expressions do the work, so we the audience get into the characters and almost feel their pain or joy.
One has to be very ambitious and a fanatic Tarkovsky fan to be able to make this stunning expressionist film and Marco Berger, I suspect, is both. I only recommend Plan B to hard- core film lovers and open-minded beautiful human beings, because the film will ask you to participate, will give you the space to be there with them and even examine your own feelings about this complex subject matters as sexuality, society and honesty. -
Yo.....let me get something out of the way right up front. If you don't think the ending 4 minute scene makes your viewing time more than worth it, then I'll eat my ticket stub, AND tell you that you're not the gay romantic you'd like to think you are.
The Big Question addressed by this movie is....Will "Plan B" backfire? Since we're given seemingly "Dyed in the Wool" Hetereos as our 2 leads, it's a valid one. But, listen up now, you should know at the start that in viewing this film lots of Patience is required. Hey, IF good things are going to happen, normally time is needed, time to let things GROW.....first you gotta become Buds.....and then.....maybe more. Also, don't forget about taking time to realize who and what you really are, and seeing if you'll fit with someone. So, Viewers, don't rush this; your Director intended for you to be as patient as are his 2 leads (even if it does result in confusion along the way---a big part of this story).
And here's just a little bit of what that patience will bring you: There's a face to face profession of love.....there's a written confession of love. There's some hurt.....there's some tears. You'll witness lots of feelings expressed in just a look.....or in the stillness of their body positions during times apart from one another. Again, you've got to watch carefully for this stuff.....for emotions to grow----it's all new to these guys.....something that's never before happened to them. But, you'll be happy to know, we CAN see it.....a camera can catch it: falling in love.....oh, yes (just watch for those silly little smiles on their faces from time to time).
Not everything is perfect (perhaps part of which involves different cultures and countries from our own). There are things I think wrong with this film, but most of them have to do with a lack of resources to produce a top-grade production. This young and talented (cute, too) writer/director likely did the best he could with what he had. Foremost problem is a lack of inviting surroundings in which to shoot---especially an important waterfront "getting to know one another" scene---which takes place in an abandoned industrial area of crumbling cement, rusting metal and weed growth. Sadly, those surroundings undermine the relationship development such a scene is aiming for. Still, it does remind us that our 2 lead characters are not upscale, wealthy types (and their living quarters reflect that, as well).
Speaking of the leads (Manuel Vignau and Lucas Ferraro).....if you begin by thinking these 2 are mere eye candy, they'll have you right where they want you---squirming for "IT" to happen. What's "IT" you ask? Duh, c'mon, be honest; you came into this thing thinking, "Oooh, 2 straights falling for each other." Sure ya did, (but I told you above, Patience is required) and our leads and director are quite good at making us wonder "if" as well as "when" the big "IT" might occur. And during all the waiting you'll be doing, you may just start to notice that these guys play off each other wonderfully---which is no small thing if a film is to be memorable. (This being a low budget Indy, the DVD Special Features interviews of both actors, perhaps surprisingly, show them to be quite well-spoken and certainly well aware of what they needed to do to get the point of this story across to us).
Moving on here, let me say you'll just have to stick around to see how the big "Plan B" of this film's title works out (clue: "Retard"---I gave you a hint up above). (And see, right there is yet another clue---and from a line in the film, itself). As a closing comment on the overall production, I'll just say: maybe not the most original concept and polished execution....but on the whole, Satisfying.
PS--So, the Moral of this tale is that, yes, you can have a Backup Plan ("B") for a first attempt gone wrong. BUT keep in mind that, if the situation involves love, jealousy, or getting-back-at, and if it results in deviousness or hurtfulness toward another person, then you may find out the hard way that "B" can also stand for "B"ackfire or "B"oomerang. Which is not to say that LOVE can't be the end result.
(( I've revised this review and in doing so am adding this following comment about the film: I've come to find it strangely surprising that these 2 actors have REALLY grown on me, and that I want to watch and rewatch them. Sure, one's kind of an idiot at the beginning....until an "earthquake" hits him, and you begin to see him differently. And the other lead....well, Wow, the tears he is brought to suddenly become the tears you share. And sure, sometimes I fast-forward through scenes not mainly involving them, but that's only because I want them back. So, there you have it. ))
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Wildwander2 May 2012maybe it's because it reminds me the hard time I've had in my twenties to figure out how I could tell a guy I loved him but I love this movie which is quite simple in terms of plot and acting. It's merely due to the two actors of course that let us think they discover the feelings for each others as well as their potential acting on the screen. Both of them don't seem to be famous in Argentina but they would deserve to go further in their acting career.
Great movie, photo is undoubtedly gorgeous (I loved the colors of the buildings - quite impressionist view of the city) and I definitely recommend it to people for its delicate and simple way to show the carefulness we may use sometimes before going further into a relationship and also the ambiguity straight men relationship may have regarding the way they express their feelings to each other. -
I loved this movie. Shown at the NY's LGBT festival. It's a serious take on male bonding, which goes over the usual line and becomes romance. Outstanding acting by the two male leads. The director has an usual style, especially nowadays when everything in cinema comes rapid-fire--he believes in SLOW. So his camera will focus on a room before anyone is in it, and then the room will become occupied. He focuses a lot on the two actors' faces, as they ponder, decide, ponder some more, dream, think some more, decide, and ponder. It could get tedious with lesser actors, but these two guys are good. The leads are nice-looking guys, easy on the eyes, but certainly not models. They don't shave much, don't take care of their hair, have lots of body hair, good bodies but not pumped up: they look real. This romance is not glamorized, no swelling music, your emotions are not heightened by any cinematographic techniques. I guess this might be considered a Dogma movie--and it works splendidly.
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sinmora24 August 2020There's a gem of a film here, but it feels as if its buried under lingering shots where nothing happens and the introduction of characters who have you wondering who they hell they are.
The story follows Bruno (who plays his role fantastically) and the friendship he forges with his ex's current boyfriend in a convoluted scheme to win her back.
Now, I will say that the boy's friendship is very believable and the way they seem to draw closer is extremely subtle. One thing I believe the film does very well is never quite telling us what the characters are really thinking. It's up to the viewer to simply "see" the shift and understand what the characters must be thinking.
But, unfortunately, the main storyline is hampered by the addition of characters I'm not even sure who they are or what relation they had with any of the main cast. Somehow, in a 2 hour film, this movie seems extremely pressed for TIME. It just feels like not enough time is spent just developing the boys and too much time is instead just lingering on moody shots of people sitting for minutes at a time.
I don't know. I feel as if I can't quite put into words the shortcomings of this movie.
With that being said, the film is still pretty good and does manage to turn a rather odd (and somewhat cliche) plot into something worth watch. -
anthraxtrash21 August 2010I literally stumbled upon this movie and ,unlike all the movie trash out there this is worth your time. I do not even think it is fair to label this a "gay" film. To me that genre should simply be erased, and changed to a love story like any other- whether it's between two woman, two men, a man and woman. Although I digress... I like how the film dealt with the two characters coming to terms with feelings never confronted before, where the friendship line is crossed. It does not get moody, it portrays very realistically how two people may deal with loving a friend. Although the dialogue is pretty minimal, it is very poignant and direct. The scenery of Argentina is shown throughout, and the little things in this film matter. If given the chance to watch this film...do it! You will not regret it.
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londonviewer31 October 2009I saw this film recently at the London Film Festival ... and whilst the organisers had tried to keep the gay storyline quiet, it was fairly obvious, and the Time Out review finally gave it away ! The story ambles along pleasantly, but the obvious clichés of a man falling in love with another man appear ... but with Lucas Ferraro being quiet pleasant to look at, it's not a bad way to spend a couple of hours ...
In the Q&A afterwards, the director was under pressure as to why he had made such a big deal of two men falling in love. Marco Berger handled it quite well, and insisted that whilst in London media/art circles it may be easy to be gay, it isn't in South America, and many other parts of the world. -
ernesto6625 June 2012If I didn't know better I'd have guessed that the writer and director of "Plan B" were two different people, neither of them very experienced or talented, totally working at odds. The film seems like a collaboration between filmmakers who had never made movies before, or even seen better ones.
"Plan B" is too long by half, especially for as little story as there is to tell. Scenes drag on forever, broken up by shots of buildings and rumbling ambient sounds that belong in a more suspenseful film. There is a lot of will-he-or-won't-he going on, lots of staring and deep thinking, but none of it out in the audience. Which isn't to say that this little story is boring, only badly told. In the right hands, two men discovering that trying to define yourself is only fooling yourself could be completely fascinating.
The film's biggest problem is the distance from each of its characters - not only emotionally but literally, in front of the camera. There are so few closeups it becomes difficult to follow what any of these people are thinking, and the script's refusal to put any of their struggles into words only hurts the process. Lucas Ferraro breaks through once, with a silent scene where Pablo realizes what has happened and what it means to him. Manuel Vignau's Bruno gets no such scene, so it's almost impossible to register where his plotting ends and his supposed love begins. Other characters, their relationships unclear, wander through adding almost nothing to what's going on.
So "Plan B" is a disappointment mainly because of the squandered opportunity it represents. With dialog that developed its ideas and a director who better exploited not only its comic but tragic aspects, the brilliant hook of the script could have resulted in another minor classic like "Parting Glances." Instead, it is just one more foreign import with a great-looking trailer: lingering glances, a few butt shots, and a hope that the gay guys who've rented it will be too busy reading the subtitles to realize how thin the story and emotions actually are.
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ruthlmex28 October 2009Just seen this at the London Film Festival and highly recommend it. Was fortunate enough to be able to see the Q&A with the Director and his team afterwards in which they said this has no distribution yet even in it's own country. I hope this situation changes as it is a film I think a lot of people worldwide would enjoy. If it comes to a cinema near you then go see it. I certainly hope to see a more of this director and his cast. Absolutely excellent.
I love cinema but this is the first film that I've ever felt so strongly to post on the internet about in the hope that more people will have the pleasure. -
lasttimeisaw15 December 2010I feel a little bit impatient during the not-so-long 95 minutes of this film, exactly speaking, it could be a 15-minute short film which would be much better in my opinion.
I have no intention to be a spoiler, but I'm rather thinking it scorn for the film to tantalize its audiences with all these lengthening fixed-long takes, which appears intermittently and defy audience's tolerance (surely the director Marco Berger is not Bela Tarr, yet, but one thing is assuring, long-takes is a double-edged sword, unless you're a renowned auteur, be careful when you wield it.)
Luckily, the film still owns it unique charm, the two leads' natural performance deserves a thumb-up, their emotional trajectories are touching and the chemistry does arouse the pathos inside even if I feel it pretentious occasionally.
It puzzles me whether or not I should recommend this film to my friends, it shall work for gay demography and girls who love BL cultures, maybe someone who has yet been interested in the vagueness of a story love beyond sex orientation. As for me, I must admit I have just passed that period. -
derekph-14 September 2011About the first half of this had me intrigued. I found the pace too slow, the long stares got tiresome – way overdone – and the inertness of the characters was really annoying. But the concept was interesting – what if? But who are these people? We learn nothing at all about them, they're apparently just slackers who smoke pot and have sex and moon about. So they're just boring. I liked that it was treated seriously – here in the States it would be played as the broadest possible slapstick comedy, Three Stooges level, with lots of fart jokes, and it would end with both guys getting married – to girls – and doing a high five to cement their new - very straight, very "normal" - friendship. So this approach was refreshing – is Argentina really that accepting of gays? The thing is, the farther it went, the less believable it was, and the ending felt like a silly fantasy. I just don't believe these two guys would hop into bed together. I didn't believe they were really in love, it felt forced. The scene where they first almost get it on ended believably – Pablo realized he wasn't into guys, and that should have been that. From there on it felt contrived and forced and wrong. And I'm gay, by the way, that's why I watched this, it supposedly had a gay theme. But it's not a gay story. Two straight guys deciding to try kissing and whatever isn't gay, it's just weird.
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ccmiller149213 February 2012The genius of this film is its subtle unfolding of the unplanned nature of love...how it develops and manifests over time. The irony is beautifully portrayed when jealous Bruno gradually gets caught in his own trap for Pablo. What's truly amazing is that as a result of the exquisite, consummately skillful exposition of this film, a viewer is so drawn in that he actually experiences the growing depth between the two men which was not present for either of them with the girl they were both connected to. Because of this, you intuitively understand what is happening to each of them and you "fall in love" with each of them yourself. This film is a quietly subversive masterpiece, a remarkable work that should be seen by anyone interested in the art of cinema.
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marcshelman15 July 2011WOW!, like many of the other reviewers I stumbled upon this fine, fine film. I couldn't tell when the film had been made and was pleasantly surprised that it was a fairly a recent work, and what a work of art it is. The confusion is dealt with so painfully and sweetly. If you love good film take your time with this and relish it. It renewed my faith in love. These actors and their director are amazing. This is one honest film. If you have attention deficit disorder then this is not the film for you. I just relished the long long takes and not being able to predict where the film was headed. The scenery is gritty and wonderful.
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Red-12512 November 2010Plan B (2009/I) is an Argentinian film written and directed by Marco Berger. This low-budget independent movie wants to be a gentle, but fascinating, sleeper film. We choose it casually, we learn that it's great, we tell our friends, and, before you know it, Marco Berger is casting Penelope Cruz in his high-budget blockbuster. That's just not going to happen. (Well, the movie is gentle, but that's where the fantasy ends.)
The basic plot involves Bruno (Manuel Vignau), a nice enough guy, who has split up with his girlfriend Laura (Mercedes Quinteros). They're still "just good friends," and they still are sexual partners, but Laura is now together with Pablo (Lucas Ferraro).
When Plan A--asking Laura to come back--doesn't work, Bruno switches to Plan B--seducing Pablo.
I would call that a weak plot premise, but, even if I could have accepted it, the movie wouldn't have worked for me. Nobody in the film ever does anything except talk, hang out, and get into bed. That may sound like a great lifestyle until you start to think, How do they make enough money to support this great lifestyle? Do they have jobs? Do they create art or films or music or literature? Do they have any thought that they might want to improve society? No way. Too busy talking, hanging out, and getting into bed.
We saw this film at the Little Theatre as part of the very fine ImageOut: Rochester Lesbian and Gay film festival. I don't think there's much reason to see it, but, if you do see it, it will work well on DVD. -
WOW! I loved this gem of a movie. Two alleged "straight" guys discovering some feeling between them might seem like the plot of a good porno film but this is handled with such realism that the audience can't help but feel drawn in.
At first I wondered why there were lingering shots of the buildings' exteriors, but then I started to like the (what I'm guessing anyway) was the symbolism of imprisonment of feelings,coldness,loneliness, austerity.
I also loved the style of leaving in background noise during great moments. Isn't that the way real life is? I want to see this movie again and the actors were excellent! I especially liked Pablo, who has one scene of internal pain that is not forced in any way and is totally believable.
I'm going to watch it again! -
holliston6711 November 2010I loved this movie - I was really happy I stumbled on it. The performances were amazing and I loved the pacing of the film. I agree with a couple of the reviews in regards to the repeated cut-aways to shots of buildings/city scapes. I thought that, as a conceit, this could have been pared down a little. I did, however, appreciate and like the introduction of ambient sound between and within scenes - it worked with the pacing and created then built up an incredible tension that mirrored the developing sexual tension between the 2 main characters.
I disagree with the bro-mance comments. My interpretation of the story is that Pablo is predominantly gay and uncomfortable with his sexuality. The film starts with a shot of Bruno playing with a kitten - we then find out at the end that Pablo photographed Bruno doing so, before the 2 really met each other, and that Pablo kept the photo in his wallet. Putting everything together, it seems that Pablo's glances at Bruno in the gym were less about curiosity and more about yearning.
And don't forget that at a certain point in the film, Pablo lies to Laura, saying that he has had a sexual relationship (or at least an encounter) with another man. When Pablo later says to a friend that, in reality, he was only "thinking" of having a sexual encounter with another man, it indicates to me that this is something that Pablo is coming to terms with - people who are not grappling with their sexuality don't create such fictions.
Bruno's sexuality, however, is the one that is more ambiguous. He seems comfortably hetro yet at the beginning, when he sees Pablo with his ex girlfriend, his eyes go down to Pablo's crotch. Is this action motivated by a possessory feeling towards Laura or a sexual curiosity? The movie hints at something buried within Bruno but it is never didactic: what inspired Bruno's jealousy? Is he genuinely in love with Laura or is he motivated by wounded pride? In the end, though, the filmmaker succeeded in creating a scenario that was completely believable. There was nothing dishonest about Bruno's declaration of love at the end of the movie - thinking back through all of the subtle hints in the film, it all made sense. -
colarusso-115 April 2017Unbelievable that this movie has a 7.1 mark. Too bad. Actors with primary errors, nonexistent direction, unbelievable elongated script. I think it was the worst movie I've seen in years. I would say that to be bad still has to improve a lot. The same thing is the actors. All very bad. Besides that none has any kind of physical attraction. I really wanted a bomb to fall and kill all the characters. Do not waste your time.
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billy_dana30 January 2011Just finished watching this film for the 2nd time. This a small gift of art - a clean, articulate character study that does an enormous amount with a minimum of dialog and some excellent writing, directing and acting. The characters come to life quickly and in 3 dimensions, the tensions created between the two men are great and lend a solid strength to the movie, and it is a fairly out-of-the-box take on romance, gay, straight or otherwise.
It drags a bit in places - but that just may be a very American perspective. It is romantic, even sexy - and does so without anything more sexual than a few kisses and guys sleeping in their underwear. It doesn't preach, it doesn't beat you over the head, and (I would suggest) it doesn't give a damn whether you buy the story or not. It is a well-told tale.
I like that it calls into question the nature of attraction, and who it can happen to, whatever gender preference is articulated. I remember all the discussion around "Brokeback Mountain", and how if a guy is attracted to another guy then they must be gay. Which is of course crap. Here, decades after Kinsey and his research, we still want very much to believe that a person is either/or, when most of us, the vast majority of us, are not so cleanly labeled or boxed.
Two "straight" guys fall in love with each other. Not so wacky. Pretty interesting actually. -
mannin1131 May 2011A lot of good movies come out of Argentina and Chile. Unfortunately this isn't one of them. This viewer always has a reluctance to knock a well-intentioned movie made on a shoestring budget but this movie has multiple drawbacks. The idea of a straight guy setting out to seduce another (seemingly) straight guy out of revenge for being spurned by his girlfriend is an interesting concept that could have been intriguing and watchable. Unfortunately the guy doing the seducing looks like he slept under a hedge, which makes his appeal highly unlikely, added to which there are endless longeurs of wordless sitting around staring into space or at the nearest unremarkable building. Are we supposed to deduce something from this other than when the hell is something going to happen? Didn't it occur to anyone connected with this movie to shift to a different location once in a while? Anyone who has the remote within reach will be hitting the fast forward button many times just to get through the viewing. At an hour and thirty minutes, this movie feels like three hours. The script needs tightening up, the loooooong pauses need editing out and the actors badly need a shave, a change of clothing and a shower. (Did I really just say this? Hell, I BOUGHT this movie so I have a right to express my discontent.) A good idea poorly executed. Like I said, there's a lot of good movies coming out of Argentina, this just isn't one of them.
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CBW-21 November 2010When you first see Pablo, the character Lucas Ferraro plays in Plan B, you think he is a nice-looking guy, but nothing that special. However, during the course of this film, he becomes very beautiful through the eyes of his friend who reluctantly falls in love with him. And you really see this as a viewer, because the acting is so good. Pablo is worthy of being loved because he is intelligent & interesting, but humble, kind, without vanity -- all those good things. His eyes and facial expressions are so endearing that you totally understand how Bruno falls in love against his will. The characters are not glamorized; they have faults, which makes the movie more plausible. I was impressed with this film, especially with the acting of Ferraro.
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palmoreca-949-77727124 May 2011This a very understated movie. Because Spanish is not my first language, it is sometimes difficult to get the full meaning of a movie. Subtitles are not always translated with the real meaning of the dialogue. Because of the method of telling this story, and the superb acting the language didn't really matter. So much of the story is in the facial expressions, attitude, and eyes of the main characters. It takes time to get into the story, but the story is well worth the wait. You need to pay attention, put details together...but you should love this movie! I was pleasantly surprised at how much I got into enjoyed this movie and the way it was told. I watched it twice!
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aliens875523 August 2010This title skips every cliché in "gay" cinema, and it all comes down to a beautiful "bromance" story. The guys don't look flawless or run into a promiscuous gay club to dance shirtless, do drugs and get wasted, as soon as they realize they enjoy...male company. This movie also brings you back to puberty, a time when one probably wouldn't do weed, but one can talk to a friend for hours, goof around and innocence is still allowed.
There's something kinda annoying on the building shots, with some kind of a background huming sound that could've been avoided, but is not that much of a big deal. It just makes no difference if they're there or not, and it would actually help with the pacing of the story.
The guy playing Bruno is just awesome. Do watch this movie, over and over again.