'About us' DVD: Novel Approach to Screenplay on Course of Gay Relationship

The TLA Releasing March 6, 2018 DVD release of the 2017 Brazilian drama "About us" is a clever film that further proves that many gay-themed movies are mainstream. This "one who got away" film relates to the relationship between 20-something photographer (portraits a specialty)/aspiring filmmaker Diego and 20-something architecture student/environemntalist Matheus.

The action begins in the present with now-filmmaker Diego observing the still of the night from his high-floor apartment. He soon sits at his computer to begin the screenplay of his romance with the love of his life 10 years earlier. The aforementioned imaginative aspect relates to this text altering and somewhat idealizing that relationship. This begins with changing a name to protect the not-so-innocent and fictionalizing the means of meeting from an online dating site to a cuter chance encounter. These post-adolescents being virtually the only characters in "us" further emphasizes the intimacy of the film.

The boys are adorable as Diego strives to get Matheus to lighten up, and this serious boy tries to get the new guy in his life to grow up some. Much of the drama relates to the aspiration of Diego to attend film school in California that plays a role in Matheus "getting away."

The interaction between these two boys in love provides much of the appeal; it coming from the perspective of Diego a decade after these events puts an interesting spin on things. We see a highly energetic Diego literally and figuratively climbing all over a more reserved Matheus. This particularly comes out in a cute scene in which Diego adds a risky erotic element to a walk in the woods. His directly addressing an inability to keep his hands of his man rings true to most of us regarding at least one relationship.

The closing monologue both proves the relatability of the story and emphasizes the fantasy element of it. The general idea is that we all tend to idealize life events that do not conclude with a Hollywood ending.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "us" is strongly encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.