Perfect Endings (2024) by Daniel Ribeiro: A Filmmaker's Search for Love and a New Script

Short Summary: The Unscripted Journey of a Heartbroken Filmmaker

After a seemingly "perfect" breakup, filmmaker João faces the messy reality of being single for the first time in ten years. With his career in flux and dating apps as his new guide, he discovers that life doesn't follow a neat script and that his own emotional journey might be the most compelling story he has ever found.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26593560/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2024/film/global/perfect-endings-m-appeal-1235985261/

About movie: https://m-appeal.com/catalogue/perfect-endings

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/perfect-endings (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/perfect-endings (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/perfect-endings (Spain)

Detailed Summary: Navigating Love, Loss, and Lenses

• The Breakup and the Filmmaker's Dilemma: The film begins as João and his boyfriend Hugo end their 10-year relationship. The split is described as a "perfect ending" but leaves João professionally and emotionally adrift. He is an aspiring art-house filmmaker but must take on a gig directing amateur erotic films to pay the bills.

• A World of Casual Encounters: With the support of his friends Alice and Chico, João ventures into the world of dating apps and short-lived hookups. The film chronicles his awkward and often humorous experiences with different men, each encounter highlighting the contrast between the organized world of filmmaking and the unpredictable nature of reality.

• Art Imitates Life: As João's dating life becomes more complicated, he begins to use his experiences as inspiration for a new screenplay. The people he meets and the emotions he feels become the characters and plot points of his new film, showing how his art is a direct reflection of his journey of healing and self-discovery.

• Finding a New Narrative: João's quest for a new relationship evolves into a deeper search for a new sense of self. The film's narrative structure mirrors this process, focusing less on a conventional romantic arc and more on the protagonist's personal and creative evolution.

Director's Vision: The Chaos of Authenticity

• Director Daniel Ribeiro returns to explore the complexities of modern queer relationships, particularly the emotional and sexual landscape of a man in his 30s. His work is known for its sensitive and authentic approach to queer themes, and this film is no exception.

• The film's deliberate, sometimes slow pacing is used to mirror the reality of a life in transition. Instead of building toward a climax of romance, the film's key moments are personal and sexual encounters that serve as catalysts for the protagonist's artistic growth.

• Ribeiro’s vision is to challenge the notion of a "perfect ending," showing that life's most valuable moments are often found in the unscripted, chaotic, and messy parts of our journey.

Themes: The Search for Meaning in the Digital Age

• The Illusory "Perfect Ending": The film's core theme revolves around the idea that a clean, conflict-free end to a relationship is an illusion. It explores the lasting emotional and psychological effects of a breakup, even an amicable one, and the difficulty of finding a new sense of closure.

• Reality as Inspiration for Art: A major theme is the symbiotic relationship between an artist's lived experience and their creative work. João's journey demonstrates how personal pain and confusion can be channeled into a creative process that leads to self-understanding and healing.

• Evolving Queer Relationships: The movie delves into the contemporary gay dating scene, moving beyond coming-out narratives to explore the emotional complexities of long-term relationships, breakups, and the impact of hookup culture on personal connection and intimacy.

Key Success Factors: Relatability and Poetic Realism

• Relatable Characters: The film's strength lies in its charming and realistic characters, from the earnest protagonist to his supportive, idiosyncratic friends. Their interactions are genuine, providing a humorous and emotional anchor for the story.

• Artistic Portrayal of Intimacy: The intimate scenes are handled with care and are essential to the narrative. They are not simply for spectacle but are used to portray João's emotional and sexual journey as he explores new connections.

• A Subversive Take on the Rom-Com: The movie successfully subverts the typical romantic comedy structure. It is less concerned with finding a new partner and more focused on the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and finding inspiration from within himself.

Awards and Nominations: Festival Recognition

The film has received 1 win and 1 nomination on the film festival circuit. It has been featured at various LGBTQ+ film festivals, including Out on Film Festival and Frameline.

Critics Reception: A Mixed but Thoughtful Response

• The IMDb critic reviews, although few in number, suggest a mixed reception. One review notes that the film, while "endearing" and "charming," struggles with its script, which is described as lacking depth. The reviewer felt the film had "unrealized potential" and that its attempt to portray a specific group of young people felt like a "caricature."

• Conversely, another review from Derek Winnert describes the film as a "feel-good romantic comedy" that is "amusing and entertaining, sometimes very funny, sometimes very touching." This review praises the hero and the film’s "laid-back relaxed kind of way," suggesting its quiet, small-scale nature is its strength, not a weakness.

Overall, critics appear divided on the film's execution. While the core themes and protagonist are widely appreciated, some reviewers find its narrative and script to be less developed than its ambition would suggest.

Reviews: A Polarizing Take on the Post-Breakup Journey

• heltersonrsl (IMDb): This reviewer found the film "endearing" and praised the protagonist's charisma. However, they were critical of the script, calling the dialogues "superficial" and the supporting characters "ornamental props." They also critiqued the cinematography for failing to capture the visual beauty of São Paulo.

• brentsbulletinboard (IMDb): This reviewer gave a more negative assessment, calling the film "tediously dull." They felt it failed to be either funny or sexy, finding the attempts at humor and eroticism to be "boring." They argued the movie missed its opportunity to be an "uproariously funny comedy" and that its attempts at more serious subject matter fell flat.

Overall, the user reviews reflect a wide range of opinions. Some see a charming and authentic story, while others find the film to be unengaging and lacking in its attempts at both comedy and drama.

Why to recommend movie: A Refreshing Take on Love and Loss

• For Fans of Daniel Ribeiro: If you enjoyed the sensitive and human storytelling of The Way He Looks, this film offers a more mature exploration of relationships and self-discovery.

• For a Different Kind of Rom-Com: This movie is ideal for viewers who appreciate character-driven stories over traditional plot-heavy narratives. It is a subtle and thoughtful film that prioritizes personal growth over a conventional happy ending.

• For its Authentic Portrayal of Modern Dating: The film's realistic depiction of online dating, casual encounters, and the journey of healing after a significant breakup is relatable and honest.

Movie Trend: Art-House Erotica

This film follows the trend of using eroticism as a tool for character and thematic development, rather than for its own sake. It is part of a growing movement of films that explore intimacy and sexuality with an artistic and psychological lens.

Social Trend: Moving Beyond Coming-Out Narratives

Perfect Endings is part of a significant social trend in which queer stories are expanding beyond the traditional coming-out storyline. It focuses on the emotional complexities and day-to-day realities of life after coming out, reflecting the demand for more nuanced and mature LGBTQ+ representation in cinema.

Final Verdict: A Nuanced and Thought-Provoking Film

Perfect Endings is a poignant and often charming film that, while not without its flaws, succeeds in its sensitive portrayal of a man's journey of self-discovery after a breakup. Its realistic characters and honest exploration of modern romance make it a memorable entry in the genre, confirming Daniel Ribeiro as a director with a unique and humanistic vision.