José (II) (2018) User Reviews

Decent composite of Guatemalan gay youth

[chong_an · 7/10 · 5 June 2019]

Jose is the only child who is still living at home with his mother, with both having to start a commute before dawn to their respective jobs. Jose's sexual release is with men in a hotel that rents rooms by the hour. When offered chances for a long-term relationship, Jose has a battle between love and loyalty to his mother.

I saw this film at the Inside Out LGBT film festival, with a Q+A with the co-writer. The director and writers spent time in Central America interviewing subjects, and this is a composite of their research. Unfortunately, references to Guatemalan culture and history could be lost to foreigners. Rather crucial to the story is the frequency mothers may hang on to their youngest children to avoid being alone (there is a reference to Jose's sisters). Other references are to a civil war and an earthquake, both of which killer a great number of people, but may be extraneous to the main theme of choices in life.

The film is shot in a raw, gritty style, but that suits the environment the characters live in.

The hard streets of Guatemala City

[Red-125 · 7/10 · 21 October 2019]

José (II) (2018) is a Guatemalan film co-written and directed by Li Cheng.

The movie follows José (Enrique Salanic) as he goes about his marginal life in urban Guatemala. Manolo Herrera plays Luis, José's lover, and Ana Cecilia Mota portrays his mother.

The movie doesn't move forward with a traditional plot. It's more of a series of vignettes strung together because José is in them. José is gay, but his life would be hard if he weren't gay. Being gay in Guatemala is dangerous, so that adds a definite level of tension to his life and to the film.

His mother also leads a marginal life, because she's selling food without the proper license, and she gets driven from spot to spot by the police. She only has two loves in her life--José and the Evangelical church to which she belongs. It wasn't clear to me whether or not she knew José was gay. She knew that something was happening, but she didn't appear to know what it was.

As the credits to the movie were rolling, we learned that each episode was based on a real event that happened to one of the many people to whom the filmmakers spoke. That's apparently why the film was episodic--it was based on something that really happened to someone in Latin America. (Not just Guatemala.)

We saw this movie in Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre at The Eastman House Museum. It was screened as part of Rochester's great ImageOut LGBT Film Festival. This was the film's New York State premiere. My compliments to the festival organizers for bringing the movie to Rochester.

I enjoyed watching the movie on the large screen, but it will work well enough on the small screen. José has a weak IMDb rating of 6.3. It's not a great film, but I think it's better than that.

Episodic but compelling

[laduqesa · 8/10 · 8 July 2020]

I watched this at home on a TV set. I sometimes wonder what time it is during a film or how much longer we have to go. Not this one though. It really held my attention.

The story follows the protagonist through work, his love life, his relationship with his mum and other family members. Things happen, such as a theft of equipment from the mother and a phone from the lover, that are not followed up in this film of fleeting episodes. It doesn't matter - there is no "plot" as such, just events that unfold linearly but not necessarily consequentially.

It's a sad film overall. We take things for granted in the west about openness and acceptance, but these are not options in Jose's world.

The actors and settings are totally realistic. The moments of physical love, despite the occasionally sordid nature of the locations are happy and joyful. The grind and monotony of daily life kicks back in though.

The way the film ended was unexpected, but when I thought about it, I realised that this, or a similar ending, was unavoidable.

I really liked this film and would recommend it.

Touching depiction of poverty and gay love

[roger-99-171599 · 7/10 · 23 January 2020]

Winner of the Queer Lion Award at Venice Film Festival, director Li Cheng's sophomore feature is a modest, highly touching and perceptive drama about financial struggle and sexual identity, highlighted by the conflicts imposed by a intolerable society in Latin-American countries. First-time actor Enrique Salanic gives a compelling, utterly convincing performance as the protagonist, a young man living with his mother in a small town in Guatemala. They both work hard in tough jobs, trying to make ends meet, avoiding corruption and crime as decent citizens. José maintains a secret love affair with another young fellow, who dreams of leaving the country for a better chance of surviving and to experience freedom for their choices. Conflicts surge among them, as José is strongly attached to his mother, a co-dependent relationship open for any sacrifices. Cheng examines crucial topics on behavior and acceptance with simplicity and honesty. He also conceives a striking look at poverty and hopelessness, while depicting the pleasures and risks of a Latin gay coming of age experience.

So much potential

[illymflt · 7/10 · 3 January 2021]

At times, lacking; utterly captivating; unapologetic.

A stream of consciousness jewel

[cekadah · 9/10 · 12 April 2021]

Once you start watching this film by Director: Li Cheng and Writers: Li Cheng, George F. Roberson, you cannot stop. I found myself wondering how Jose' would find a balance between his own personal identity, his needy but very caring mother, his demanding and dangerous job, and doing his best to live in a corrupt society poisoned by church doctrine.

Jose' and. Luis relationship is the greater part of this rather sad but at the same time joyful story. Luis wants to settle down with Jose' but Jose' is torn between his relationship needs and caring for his mother. You will come to care about Jose', he seems to be an honest person.

The sad fact is that Guatemala is a poor corrupt country strangled by 'the church' that demands obedience and cares nothing for hunger and want.

LGBT IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.

[andrewchristianjr · 7/10 · 6 June 2021]

This movie shows you life for lgbt in a third world country. Also it shows you that sometimes you only have one chance in life to go for it or forever regret it.

Most romantic scenes in the history of gay movies

[stonennj · 9/10 · 16 January 2021]

In the middle of the movie, there is at least 15 minutes of romantic scenes of Jose and Luis - making love, covering each other, eating together, driving on a motorcycle, kissing, etc, are the single most romantic scenes I have ever seen in a movie, yep you are right, that is, including all heterosexual movies. The extra hot sexual scenes in the DVD version is such a big plus.

Come on guys, don't you feel it?

Underdeveloped, but overall truthful to the experience of being gay in Guatemala

[vesperview · 5/10 · 12 December 2020]

As a gay man from Guatemala, this film spoke to me on several levels. The way the main character of Jose has to sneak out of his job to hook up with men because he lives with his mom is 100% accurate. Every gay man in Guatemala city knows the kind of sleazy motels he visits downtown in the city with the guys he hooks up with.

Although the cultural elements of the film were very truthful and real, the plot itself didn't feel fully developed. The film is too short, and the relationship between José and Luis didn't feel real to me. It was a mixture of bad acting with the film rushing the relationship. The issue of him being gay and living with an overtly religious mother is not explored either. There is also a generic subplot about a straight couple that contributes nothing to the main plot. Overall, the film lacked conflict, it was very low stakes and the ending was uneventful.

I would recommend you watch it if you're gay and from Guatemala because it is refreshing to see us represented in this fashion, but much like Temblores by Jayro Bustamante, these Guatemalan LGBTQ+ movies are still treading very cautiously around these topics and don't pack the punch that a film about being gay in a homophobic third world country should.

sexy, touching, uncompromising

[cinema-academics-advocacy · 10/10 · 26 April 2021]

I recently saw "Jose" at "Censurados" film festival in Lima, Peru - they specialize in featuring international films that are facing difficulty reaching some audiences / some countries because of censorship: due to government, industry, and/or social barriers. So I think it's an especially important film be seen and debated, I say let the public decide for themselves. My main observation/interpretation of the film is this: at the beginning of the film, Jose is disconnected from his Mayan cultural heritage (what academics call "erasure", due to colonialism and neo-colonialism). As he faces multiple problems he goes searching and re-connects with Mayan knowledge and spiritual space at a place called "Quirgua", and then he sets out on life again with renewed determination and inspiration - though life won't be easy (that message would be dishonest)

What a horrible movie!

[augustoam · 2/10 · 19 September 2020]

I would classify this movie as one of the worst directed movies I've seen in my life. I try to support this genre, specially because it tackles LGBT issues in Latin American countries.

The director missed a great opportunity to present a coherent story. There are scenes that do not add anything to the characters, and there are missing scenes leaving holes in the story.

It couldn't even make a good movie for a student.

Touching, Reality of Life for so many Gay Men.

[thomas-m-baxley · 10/10 · 31 January 2023]

The movie "Jose" is yet another real-life example of what happens in the lives of gay men. Young, Middle Age, or Old, it never stops. Everyone wants love, but there are so many parts of life that pull us in a multitude of directions that keeps us from obtaining love. Jose and Luis have a chance at love, but the self-expectation of being obligated to remain close to loved ones is such a pull on our hearts and mind. When we finally find that particular person that brings happiness, tears, and concern for their lives as much as our own, we must take that leap and fully embrace it. A deep dive into everyday life in Central America, this award-winning movie will undoubtedly become a favorite if you enjoy an actual life situation involving love, and heartbreak.

One of the most realistic depictions of romance ever put on film

[archiemills · 9/10 · 24 November 2020]

Form beginning to end, this film never fails to capture the true nature of relationships. It almost too brutally showcases the heart-wrenching struggles of relationships, and how truly incomprehensible the extra strife that gay people go through is. Anchored by a top notch performance and brilliant use of the Guatemalan landscape (physically and socially), this film delivers layers that will stick with you.

Uneventful

[whenyoureyeburns · 3/10 · 21 March 2021]

While more explicit films have been made, I cannot think of a more intimate film, especially one about gay characters. The natural acting and low budget look make it feel raw, almost uncomfortably so. In ways, this film is boundary-breaking. I just wish the story were better - it feels uneventful to the point where I was skipping through chunks of it just to see if the payoff in the end was worth it. In my opinion, this just isn't a good film for its narrative, although opinions will surely vary.

Where to look for the movie

[luadmoga · 10/10 · 24 October 2020]

I want to see this movie how or where to whatching this movie

Compelling and a bit boring

[jaroslaw99 · 4/10 · 10 April 2022]

If the makers were trying to portray how hard life is in Guatamela generally and more so for Gay people, they were successful. The story wanders, with our main character very much undecided what he wants. Agree with others who say the romantic scenes were hot but don't save the film.

A long film to showcase its photography

[ciffou · 7 March 2024]

I agree with the other person from Guatemala leaving his review here. As a Salvadoran I see the missed potential in talking about being LGBT in Central America. The movie is beautifully shot. Director Li Cheng obviously fell in love with the idea of portraying the chaos of the streets, the buses, the old buildings...We get it. He is a capable man. He is good at it. He's just not as good when it comes to screenwriting.

The moment I heard someone talking about ruins I knew the main character would go there for no significant reason at all.

Holes/ missed opportunities: First and foremost, Luis and Jose. I don't buy the relationship either. They are getting to know each other and suddenly Luis is talking about moving in together. How much time has passed?? I assume they met on Grindr or another app and I can only guess that's why Jose was looking for wi-fi in the beginning. What was different about Luis? We never get to learn that. Lingering shots won't tell a story and Heigh's "weekend" this is not.

These two characters don't know each other, but Jose's mom does recognize Luis and tries to talk with his mom. They could easily have found out their moms worked at the same place or go to the same church, if we would have actually seen these two men getting to know each other, and not only in bed. I am actually curious about Luis' relationship with his violent siblings and what his mom pretends not to know.

The mom and lack of work. Don't get me wrong. I know the issues that street vendors face in our region, but they show her selling in two different locations, so when she talks about not going to work because the cops took them out of a place, it doesn't make sense that she wouldn't go elsewhere. People can't afford to stay home because of that and it's not like she had a little place that the cops brought down, as they actually do in real life.

Mom/ grandmother: Why showing a grandmother for a couple of exchanges? She talks about leaving possible love behind to take care of Jose's mom. That's an interesting topic to explore. But nop... Let's move on to more long shots of the road.

Another motorcycle. Let's make something out of that, I guess. They could have discussed that that ride between Jose and Luis could NEVER happened without at least someone shouting a slur at them, that would make their embrace and the distance between strangers more meaningful, just like choosing not to touch when greeting each other.

I was actually falling asleep.