Charming little film. The plot is significantly different from the short film it's based on that, aside from the direction of the ending, you'll not feel like you're repeating yourself by watching it. The short is definitely worth the watch as well, though, because the ending is... more cute? My only critique with the film is how many plot-points begin but don't resolve or even explore all that much during the feature-length time limits. Being in love with the TV series, Please Like Me, I couldn't help but imagine The Way He Looks as a similarly formatted TV series. The film was segregated quite neatly into micro-plots and settings that may have functioned better in an episodic format, as well as getting the potential for a season two (whereas I'm not certain a sequel film would be as good).

This film for me was a '1 o'clock in the morning can't sleep must break the boredom' watch. Normally in these instances I'll fall asleep a third of the way through and that'll be that. In this instance however I was mesmerised, I was pulled in and it is so apparent to me now after sleeping on it how much effort the director and producers have put into character development and presentation. This film has an easiness to it, one that allows you to connect and care for the characters. You feel the pain and the angst whilst also enjoying the highs of emotion and joy. Portuguese as the language even adds to the immersion, as an English only speaker I found myself listening heavily on the tone of their voices which allowed an even deeper emotional connection. I was trapped and in a good way. The accompanying background music is subtle and does not distract from the storyline, it instead lightly enhances it and enforces the mood.This film speaks volumes and is a beautiful depiction of what finding love is for an LGBT person, for anyone looking for something else along an LGBT themed love story I heavily advise North Sea Texas. A beautiful presentation of a young love story and an honour to the LGBT community.

The pure simplicity of the creative filmmaking. We almost forgot that the main staple of a good movie is a story to tell. It all somehow got gradually replaced with car chases and explosions and stunning lack of anything to say, that doesn't prevent so-called "directors" from continuing to torture us with tons of decomposing garbage. And there comes this small, low budget gem of a movie. Teenagers, fight for independence, stirrings of forbidden love and all done with exceptional taste without the need to drown us in syrupy clichés. The innocence of youth, that breathtaking time of endless possibilities, brought to us with such cautious and tender hand. Such a refreshing movie, just in time for the Holiday season.

Leonardo is a blind teenager going to a sighted school. He has a best friend in Giovana who is also a bit in love with him. Leo is struggling to find a degree of independence in a World where his mum is so over protective that he feels suffocated. So he hatches a plan to go on a student exchange.This upsets Giovana but Leo does not pick up on it. Then a new guy walks into class - he is Gabrielle and he is seen as new, sexy, cool kid on the block. He also soon hits it off with Leo and Giovana. However, his presence awakens new feelings for Leo and soon all his plans are under question.None of the above are plot spoilers by the way. There is so much packed in here that you will both want and need to watch it again just to get the full benefit of all the subtleties in the story. All of the cast of young actors do an excellent job and Gilherme Lobo is superb as Leonardo and I think is really sight impaired. Also the soundtrack here is just excellent we even have 'Too Much Love' by the fantastic Belle and Sebastian (my favourite song they have ever done) and 'The National' put in an appearance too.Original title is"Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho" and this is in Portuguese with good sub titles. This is an inspiring and wonderful film where five stars is not enough; to say I loved it is a massive understatement and I hope it gets the recognition it truly deserves.