Language Lessons (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Language Lessons' is a Zoom call-based dramedy about a bittersweet virtual friendship btwn. Costa Rica-based Spanish teacher, Carino (Natalie Morales, who also directed & co-wrote the screenplay) & her new student, Adam (Mark Duplass, who also produced & co-wrote). The relationship btwn. these two is strong, but platonic; which is refreshing. The film begins with Adam (Duplass) being given a surprise birthday gift from his husband, Will (Desean Kevin Terry) of 100 weekly Spanish lessons. Carino (Morales), his teacher, resides in rural Costa Rica, while Adam logs into Zoom from his palatial mansion in Oakland, California. Adam is not Spanish, but already speaks the language fairly well {from his childhood}, and he is eager to learn more.
The 1st session goes 'okay'. For the following week/2nd session, Carino signs on as planned, only to receive startling news: Will has died unexpectedly, leaving Adam incoherent, bereft & in a state of shock. Carino tries to help & distract him and, their sessions take on a more personal tone moving forward. They get to know one another & even make each other laugh. Adam confides much to her {mostly in Spanish or broken Spanish}. And really, their weekly conversations become a life line in Adam's now-empty life. As the weeks & months go by, Carino is instrumental in helping Adam regain his strength. All is going well until Carino reveals a shock of her own & doesn't necessarily want to share her problems in return.
Poignant, honest, & darkly funny, this film is about how intense circumstances can create an intimate bond btwn. people of different backgrounds, cultures, & classes, even if they're only seeing each other through a computer screen. When there are only 2 actors in a movie, it is integral that the writing be as involving as it can be. Movies with just 2 actors can often come across like a stage play, but not here. It is NOT easy to maintain interest throughout a 90 min. production with only 2 participants, but Morales & Duplass' charisma & thespian skills make it happen. As the weeks go by, it is very cool watching the depth of Adam & Carino's love grow more & more; even when late-breaking adversity threatens the friendship.
The dialogue, written + improvised flourishes, feels lived-in & authentic -- colloquial conversation that we see & hear in our everyday lives. This is simply a wonderful exploration a platonic relationship btwn. 2 very different individuals. I admire how the characters mostly speak in Spanish to each other, except when something fairly emotional halts the lesson. I was engrossed with the various ups & downs that occur throughout their correspondence. And though I saw the last reveal coming from a mile away, when it DID happen, I had a grin plastered on my face from ear to ear. 'Language Lessons' is one of the better films of 2021 and, I am always ecstatic when a film that I hadn't anticipated loving, sneaks up & subtly blows me away.
The 1st session goes 'okay'. For the following week/2nd session, Carino signs on as planned, only to receive startling news: Will has died unexpectedly, leaving Adam incoherent, bereft & in a state of shock. Carino tries to help & distract him and, their sessions take on a more personal tone moving forward. They get to know one another & even make each other laugh. Adam confides much to her {mostly in Spanish or broken Spanish}. And really, their weekly conversations become a life line in Adam's now-empty life. As the weeks & months go by, Carino is instrumental in helping Adam regain his strength. All is going well until Carino reveals a shock of her own & doesn't necessarily want to share her problems in return.
Poignant, honest, & darkly funny, this film is about how intense circumstances can create an intimate bond btwn. people of different backgrounds, cultures, & classes, even if they're only seeing each other through a computer screen. When there are only 2 actors in a movie, it is integral that the writing be as involving as it can be. Movies with just 2 actors can often come across like a stage play, but not here. It is NOT easy to maintain interest throughout a 90 min. production with only 2 participants, but Morales & Duplass' charisma & thespian skills make it happen. As the weeks go by, it is very cool watching the depth of Adam & Carino's love grow more & more; even when late-breaking adversity threatens the friendship.
The dialogue, written + improvised flourishes, feels lived-in & authentic -- colloquial conversation that we see & hear in our everyday lives. This is simply a wonderful exploration a platonic relationship btwn. 2 very different individuals. I admire how the characters mostly speak in Spanish to each other, except when something fairly emotional halts the lesson. I was engrossed with the various ups & downs that occur throughout their correspondence. And though I saw the last reveal coming from a mile away, when it DID happen, I had a grin plastered on my face from ear to ear. 'Language Lessons' is one of the better films of 2021 and, I am always ecstatic when a film that I hadn't anticipated loving, sneaks up & subtly blows me away.