★ 7 / 10
Misleading title. This isn't a religious or love story.
a_santos-73099
I'll start by saying that I really enjoyed the film, I was magnetised from start to finish, but I still didn't understand it all. The original title of the…
I'll start by saying that I really enjoyed the film, I was magnetised from start to finish, but I still didn't understand it all.
The original title of the film is "The little saint", and English viewers got "Blessed boys", but I would argue "Changing boys", or "Unresting boys" would be less misleading, as although there is one story plot that follows religion, most of the film will focus on the changes that a life event (secondary to religion) cause in the relation of the 2 best friends.
This isn't a love story, but rather two (/three) people adjusting to the changes life throws at them.
The two main male actors have brilliant chemistry on screen, and their work with gaze and performance is probably the strongest point of the movie. The main female character also has a great performance and character development, but all other characters didn't show anything special.
Spoilers and some of my interpretation ahead.
As changes happen, what was a brotherly friendship starts to develop into something more, you can see both characters long for each other amongst other things, one of them (Mario) realizes that, but they don't know how to bridge the gap from their friendship to a homoaffective/gay relationship. They will slowly and progressively deep their toes into newer, "gayer", experiences, which will culminate with them having a threesome with an older woman, but you can see both of them searching for each other. Very tastefully done scene by the way.
After this, when Mario finally makes a move to show his true feelings, Lino will reject him, possibly due to internalized homophobia.
For people who would like to know what happens afterward, the film ends not long after, leaving the future mostly up to imagination. (I personally hate these endings, so lost some points for me.) Lino seems he will become more focused on his family.
By Mario's reaction, look and action, and thinking on the saying that pops to mind "one door closes and another door slams shut in your face"; my guess is that Mario realizes he fell for someone who wasn't ready to love him, he lost a possible love, and he might also have lost his very best friend, but he is happy for his experience, happy that his friend his feeling better with his family, and he now is ready to leave the past, the preconceptions, and old ideas (like religion) behind and move on looking towards the future, with his newer understanding of himself.
In terms of filmography, I've been to Naples after Covid, and this film did take me back. It does capture some nice aspects of the city, and I enjoyed it.
Soundtrack isn't anything out of ordinary but has some tracks that fit the moments where they were applied.
Would love a sequel, or a spin-off just on the Mario & Lino's possible love story.
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★ 4 / 10
A philosophical drama with Queer elements
matin2000
Miracle Child/Blessed Boys is billed as a Queer/LGBT drama centred on a hidden/not acknowledged romantic feelings between the two best friends, however, by the…
Miracle Child/Blessed Boys is billed as a Queer/LGBT drama centred on a hidden/not acknowledged romantic feelings between the two best friends, however, by the end of the movie it comes to light that the above portrayal is a mere personal perception/wish of one of the characters, as are the "miraculous" powers of the protagonist's sister are perceived by a flock of believers regardless of its truth.
Pace of the movie is extremely slow at times and repetition of the scenes are often! Mostly without any major development in the storyline!
Peculiarity of the plot makes this movie worthy of international film festivals!? Though it is misleading to portray this film as a Gay love story.
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80%
AUDIENCE
6.2/10
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