Review of XXY (2007) by Chucho E. Q — 21 Mar 2008

It took me a while to see this one because I wasn't sure what to expect. I was excited about it and I bought it as soon as I found it but I kept waiting and waiting for the "right moment" to see it. I wish I hadn't wait.

What I loved so much about this film (but apparently not so many people understood) is how it manages to be cute and fresh even with its "touchy" subject. After all, it's not a film about hermaphroditism but about growing up with a body (or mind, or soul) that sometimes doesn't feel like us at all and it's actually a strong metaphor for adolescence along with a statement about the limits and horizons of sex and sexuality. Between Martin Piroyansky (Alvaro) and Ines Efron (Alex), the performances are so realistic and true that it feels not as if you were part of their lives but as if you were THEM! I specially found myself in Piroyansky's eyes and soul and the character and the actor per se were heartbreaking all the time. Ines Efron's haunting performance ranks as one of the most beautiful character developments of the year but I still stick to Martin Piroyansky and his gorgeous character and performance. The rest of the "grown-up" cast is also magnificent but they are always shadowed by the two teen leads.

Over all, the movie is technically flawless and the oh-so-Blue art direction is as beautiful as the story and screenplay. The music is haunting and subtle and the direction, by Lucia Puenzo, is fantastic. One of those directing jobs you can actually notice by seeing the movie.

It's sad that many people will feel disturbed by the movie because it has, after all, an hermaphrodite character dealing with issues beyond her maturity level (the line "Who are you to tell me what's possible or not?" is simply wonderful) and the people surrounding her coming to terms with what's "normal" and what's not.

The outstanding screenplay with witty dialogues full of sadness and lack of hope along with the two young lead actors (Efron and Piroyansky) and the art direction are the powerful tools this movie has to make an everlasting impression in everybody seeing it.