Trémulo ....another shortie from Mexico, written and directed by Roberto Fiesco. 150 votes on IMDb. Glad to see it made it to DVD, so now people can see it! Opens in a barber shop. The barber has gone for the day, but a soldier leaving on a long assignment wants a good shave. The barber's assistant gives him a shave, which turns into a water fight, and then even more. Some big twists and turns here. Just when you think you know where its going, it doesn't! Very cute. Why haven't more people seen this ? Hope they do. Part of the TLA DVD "Mexican Men". only 20 minutes long. Stars Benny Emmanuel and Axel Arenas. I'd like to see more works from Fiesco. Definitely recommended.
6 Reviews
Marvellous short
laduqesa16 March 2023
I saw this short film as part of the "Mexican Men" compilation of five films that is not listed on IMDB. It is easily the best film of the five. I had seen the film before several years ago but could not remember the plot or the ending.
Both actors were hunks. And both knew how to act. Benny Emmanuel did a fine job of playing a lad with bumfluff instead of a proper beard despite his real age being twenty when the film was made. Axel Arenas playing Julio was twenty five but again portraying a much younger youth. His limpid beauty shone through in the film.
There was real chemistry between the actors leading to the final lingering goodbye. I'd forgotten the twist in the tale that came just before.
So, a glittering gem that I'd recommend to anyone, gay or straight, to watch.
Both actors were hunks. And both knew how to act. Benny Emmanuel did a fine job of playing a lad with bumfluff instead of a proper beard despite his real age being twenty when the film was made. Axel Arenas playing Julio was twenty five but again portraying a much younger youth. His limpid beauty shone through in the film.
There was real chemistry between the actors leading to the final lingering goodbye. I'd forgotten the twist in the tale that came just before.
So, a glittering gem that I'd recommend to anyone, gay or straight, to watch.
Beautiful in every context
Coralknight24 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Set in Mexico City, this story could have taken place pretty much anywhere in Latin America (or the US 40+ years ago). A "small town", hard-working kid away from any family to speak of gets his validation through the work he does, and he sees his tips as a testament to that. A stranger, claiming to be a soldier comes in and has an immediate attraction to the kid and decides to come back later to spend time with him. The time they spend together will make most viewers (myself included) uneasy, as it looks like this may turn out to be a very mercenarial situation, as the soldier could easily take advantage of the kid...which is what it appears he intends to do. Not only until the end do we see the soldier's true intentions, and the full scope of the kid's innocence. The film is masterful in that it does not come off as an apology for pedophilia (yes...unfortunately, these films do exist) but rather a display of what the smallest act of kindness and affection, and the effects it can have. Both the soldier and the kid almost appear to be each other; the soldier seeing himself in the kid at his age and the kid seeing the soldier as someone he would like to be. I'm just extremely grateful the writer did not see the need to cross any boundaries/lines for shock-value to make this point: which is why I think this is an incredibly touching short-film worth watching.
the simplicity
Kirpianuscus26 June 2017
it defines this special film in a splendid manner. because it is just a friendship story. precise, touching, seductive. a soldier, a boy and a barbershop. and a meet who seems change everything. because it is portrait of memories and fascination. about an afternoon, a night and an early morning defined by gestures, words and looks. and, after its end, front to the fragments from a kind of old fashion story, the only regret is to expect something else , scene by scene. this, maybe, is the virtue of the script and the mark of the gift of director - to ignore the comfortable/well known tricks for have audience. it is a story. a simple story. about past and the future. together. or, just, about the beauty of life. about generosity. and about the splendor of friendship.
Wistful, understated, stunning
apriceaboverubies2929 July 2019
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