When I first read the synopsis of 'Eismayer', I thought "god, is it going to be another 'The Sergent (1968)' or 'Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)'?". But thank god, time's changed.
I've been living in West Europe as an immigrant for barely about 15 years, and couldn't know it first hand like the locals - but I've seen how much has changed within those decade and and a half alone regarding gay rights and overall acceptance of different sexualities. In that context, older Charlie's fear and self-hate about his sexuality is just as real as younger Mario's 'I'm here, I'm queer' attitude. But in the end, we see it's the Mario's generation and their attitude that is the future. Their happy ending feels dearer because it is not any more a secret in the closet or a lonely fight against the world. Come out and embrace your love, and people will be be happy for you.
'Eismayer' is pretty much a conventional drama, not an artistic marvel. But it's well made, well acted and down-to-earth. Recommended.
I've been living in West Europe as an immigrant for barely about 15 years, and couldn't know it first hand like the locals - but I've seen how much has changed within those decade and and a half alone regarding gay rights and overall acceptance of different sexualities. In that context, older Charlie's fear and self-hate about his sexuality is just as real as younger Mario's 'I'm here, I'm queer' attitude. But in the end, we see it's the Mario's generation and their attitude that is the future. Their happy ending feels dearer because it is not any more a secret in the closet or a lonely fight against the world. Come out and embrace your love, and people will be be happy for you.
'Eismayer' is pretty much a conventional drama, not an artistic marvel. But it's well made, well acted and down-to-earth. Recommended.