Watch Undertow

Undertow is a 2009 drama film directed by Javier Fuentes-León, set in a small fishing village in Peru. The movie stars Cristian Mercado as Miguel, a fisherman who is struggling with his own sexuality while attempting to maintain his duties as a father and husband. Tatiana Astengo plays his wife, Mariela, and Manolo Cardona plays Santiago, a painter who comes to the village and becomes a significant character in the plot.

The movie opens on a beach where fisherman Miguel is standing on a cliff, looking out into the sea. As the camera zooms out, we see small shacks where the locals are preparing for the day's catch. Miguel's wife, Mariela, is seen among them, conversing with the others. They have a six-year-old son who is waiting eagerly for his father to return home from fishing. However, we soon learn that Mariela is pregnant with a second child, and this has given Miguel a sense of unease, which is made even worse when he begins to develop feelings for Santiago, a stranger who comes to the town to paint.

As the plot develops, we see how Miguel struggles to accept his feelings for Santiago, and the impact that it has on his family life. Meanwhile, Santiago is also undergoing his own difficulties as he grapples with his relationship with Miguel while trying to create his artwork. Their problems are further amplified when Santiago dies accidentally, and Miguel is forced to deal with his emotions while trying to bury his feelings for Santiago.

The movie is centered around themes of homosexuality, family, and rural life. The portrayal of Miguel's character is very realistic and empathetic, as we witness his internal conflict and his relationship with his son, who seems to be aware of his father's innermost thoughts. Despite the apparent pushback against homosexuality, the characters are not portrayed as caricatures, nor are they subject to vilification, but are instead given nuanced and multifaceted portrayals.

Another strong feature of the movie is the depiction of the village life, which is shown to be imbued with culture and tradition, despite the economic struggles faced by the fisherman. The fisherman's way of life is vividly portrayed, with vivid colors and sounds that help to immerse the viewer in the local culture. The societal expectations are also shown to be very rigid and male-centric, which serves as a backdrop to build the story from.

The heart of the movie lies in its exploration of how relationships and emotions can be complex and nuanced, and how these can vary based on societal norms, family expectations, and individual desires. The characters in the movie are shown to be multi-dimensional, and their situations and feelings are complex, realistic, and evoke sympathy from the viewer.

In conclusion, Undertow is a poignant drama that explores the themes of homosexuality, family, and acceptance, and captures the complexities of life in a rural village. The movie is a testament to the power of storytelling to explore the lives of characters who would otherwise be marginalized or dismissed, and it is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys movies that are powerful, nuanced, and thought-provoking.

Undertow is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 76.