El cuarto de Leo

Like other reviewers I was really sucked in and thoroughly enjoyed the first 80% or more, but then it seemed to lose itself slightly.

I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't go into detail. It is just a shame the director couldn't have continued with the same attention to detail and intrigue that was so evident in the first hour or so of the movie.

I would have to disagree with other reviewers regarding Caro. Some felt she was totally unnecessary, but for me she was essential to the story. At the point she entered the story there was a similarity between Leo and her, i.e. they both had unresolved issues. This for me added an extra dimension to the movie, which meant it transcended the usual coming of age / coming out of the closet flick.

Where I would agree, as far as Caro is concerned, is that this story arc was not resolved in a way that made it as integral to the overall protagonist's journey as it could have been.

To be honest, had I rated it after 85% I would probably have given it a 9, but the last 15% just didn't do it for me. Maybe after a few days reflection I might feel differently.

All of that said, I would still recommend it as there is so much to like about and so many interesting characters.

I ran into this movie waiting for something from normal to good, but it turned out to be much more than that. In a nutshell, I would describe it as very sweet, simple and true. It is sweet because the ties (loving or friendship)are formed in a calm pace, slowly enough to be enjoyed. The central problem - the self-discovering process, is presented in a very simple way, which make the story seem natural and almost true, that's hard to find in the most part of gay-themed movies. If those are not convincing reasons to watch "El Cuarto de Leo" than don't forget how cute is Martín Rodríguez (Leo)and the Argentines' (and Uruguayans') charm; the soundtrack is awesome as well.

That's all. Enjoy it!

It's a bit hard for me to judge this movie objectively, because I have to admit that I was so smitten with the actor that plays Leo that I couldn't have cared less about the actual story of this movie!

Well, nonsens of course, there's more to admire than the actor's face alone. It's a coming-out story, as a million others, but it has an intelligent and sincere script, and to do young actor Martín Rodríguez due justice, he plays the demanding part of Leo surprisingly well. Leo is a youngster who's well aware of his homosexual tendencies but is unable to admit even to himself that he might be actually gay, which results in a constant inner battle between his confusing mixed feelings. Direction, script and of course Rodríguez himself show us very convincingly all the inner turmoil and the erratic behaviour that this evokes in Leo. With as most memorable scene, at least to me, the break-through during one of therapy sessions.

I was impressed. Okay, very much by actor Rodriguez's face, but also by the movie itself. Greatly recommended!

This could have been a fantastic movie if it had been about Leo instead of about Caro, the unbelievably boring, neurotic girl he latches onto so he can fix her instead of living his own life.

As others have said, Martín Rodríguez is absolutely adorable as Leo. A movie about Leo, the equally adorable Seba (Gerardo Begérez), who bends over backwards (metaphorically) to be Leo's boyfriend, Leo's fascinating but barely seen brother, and Leo's wonderful psychotherapist would have been amazing. I even liked Leo's stoner roommate. But the writer-director chose to waste 80% of his film stock by focusing almost entirely on stupid, tiresome Caro instead, which was mind-numbingly dumb.

What a wasted opportunity! Two stars for the 20% of this movie that is NOT about Caro.

If you like movies that just seem to drag on and on, and where nothing happens except going from crisis to crisis and the characters all face psychological problems, then this is the movie you'll like. Nothing happens in the movie, the actors move through their roles like zombies or sleepwalkers. At the end of the 90 minutes of seeing these problems, you then realize that your life is so much better than you thought it was! I guess that's the takeaway from this movie!