I really wanted to enjoy this movie. Parts of it were quite good and overall the film would have been substantially improved if those parts had been developed. I give it a 5 primarily because of the potential in theme, definitely not for the execution.
Overall the movie had one major flaw with two parts: it was too slow and too long ; cut all the indulgent scenes -- virtually all of the walking/looking at scenery scenes, etc. -- would have made it tighter with a greater impact. The Panama tradition at the beginning of the movie had no discernible impact on the plot or story at all. To have explored Roy's dilemma following his physical encounter with Victor could have been really lovely, especially following Roy's statement that it would not be repeated (which I personally found unbelievable given how into it he was). Even if he had believed it at that time, to have him growing and learning about himself through the movie would been much more interesting than spending time all that time at the fashion show (among other wastes of time). Overall the basic plot would be unchanged, only the character's development would have happened. That in turn could have made the ending more satisfying which it most emphatically was not!
I was reminded of Lady Bracknell's line at the end of the movie (paraphrased): two lose one parent is a great sadness, to lose both is carelessness. I felt that was greatest Ameer's greatest flaw in the movie (even more so than the very uneven acting, sound, lighting, etc.). How much more interesting for Victor to have someone help him raise the child -- my personal vote would be for Roy so he could continue on his path (or so I would have made it) to self knowledge and self acceptance.
Overall the movie had one major flaw with two parts: it was too slow and too long ; cut all the indulgent scenes -- virtually all of the walking/looking at scenery scenes, etc. -- would have made it tighter with a greater impact. The Panama tradition at the beginning of the movie had no discernible impact on the plot or story at all. To have explored Roy's dilemma following his physical encounter with Victor could have been really lovely, especially following Roy's statement that it would not be repeated (which I personally found unbelievable given how into it he was). Even if he had believed it at that time, to have him growing and learning about himself through the movie would been much more interesting than spending time all that time at the fashion show (among other wastes of time). Overall the basic plot would be unchanged, only the character's development would have happened. That in turn could have made the ending more satisfying which it most emphatically was not!
I was reminded of Lady Bracknell's line at the end of the movie (paraphrased): two lose one parent is a great sadness, to lose both is carelessness. I felt that was greatest Ameer's greatest flaw in the movie (even more so than the very uneven acting, sound, lighting, etc.). How much more interesting for Victor to have someone help him raise the child -- my personal vote would be for Roy so he could continue on his path (or so I would have made it) to self knowledge and self acceptance.