The Way He Looks

The film offers something much deeper, and what is not said makes it refreshing, and beautiful.

Brazilian writer-director Daniel Ribeiro displays an assured sense of tone in this debut feature, sustaining an air of fragile beauty but never once slipping into preciousness.

Ribeiro lacks a sense of dramatic construction, with the narrative stumbling about thoughtlessly, retracing the same ground over and over.

Brazilian gay coming-of-age tale, almost quaint in its old-fashioned sweetness and gentle dramatics.

A warm, smart and thoroughly delightful coming-of-age story.

"Admirable throughout is the balance that Ribeiro strikes between dewy eroticism and the contextualization of sexuality as just a single aspect of one's identity, albeit an essential one."

...the execution is heartfelt and the actors charming.

There are a lot of 'coming of age' movies and a lot of romantic comedies, but very few good ones. This is one of those rare good ones. It isn't a great film, but it is certainly a good one.

Anyone with a disability or who has variously challenged people in their lives (which is pretty much all of us), will enjoy the feeling of hope that permeates director/writer Daniel Ribeiro's entry into the gay, coming-of-age genre.

Daniel Ribeiro's slightly corny, proficiently visualized coming-of-age tale floats on the strains of B&S' music as he imagines a triangle between a blind boy, his best female friend and the new boy in school.

Writer Daniel Ribeiro shows a talent in creating a believable YA story that is not conventional in style, content and tone and directs his young cast with a deft hand.

A charming teen drama bursting with a warmth and compassion unexpected in the genre, and with a freshly sweet surprise of young love.