Review of Lokas (2008) by Jeff P — 22 Mar 2009

This Mexican film is a brilliant little gem of a comedy that makes you feel fluttery and enthralled by its quirky characters and wacky plot twists.

Although "The Birdcage-esque," this movie is a lot more heartfelt and genuine than the American re-make of a great French film with gay themes.

Charly must flee from Mexico with his son, Pedro, in order to escape impending leg-breaking due to a dirty business deal he was a part of. But in returning to Chile to meet his long-estranged father, Charly (a downright homophobe) is forced to come to terms with discovering that his long-lost father is more a fairy than he finds agreeable--and is living with his lover, no less.

Of course, some gay-fish-out-of-water comedy ensues and the plot is thickened a little when Charly meets a woman named Liliana. He then is forced to pretend to be gay himself in order to make a good living working at a gay bar--called Lokas.

But despite its borderline stereotypical plot, at the core, the relationship between Charly and his son is what is the glue of the film. It also points out how important it is to have family--no matter how different they may be or how uniquely their predilections may stand.

Lokas is definitely worth your while if you're in the film festival circuit--and it's most definitely worth looking for on DVD once--if ever--it is released.