Kiss Me Softly (2012) User Reviews

I can't even say it doesn't fulfill its potential because there is no potential

[Horst_In_Translation · 2/10 · 11 March 2017]

"Kus me zachtjes" is a live action short film from Belgium. It is in the Dutch language, so you may need subtitles. It's written and directed by Anthony Schatteman and maybe his most known work. If you read the title, look at the poster and maybe see the trailer you already know that this film is advertised as a "gay short film". This film was made to be seen by a very particular group of people and it probably did as it is not entirely unknown, even if it did not make it on the known gay-themed short film series "Boys on Film". But it is a bad film nonetheless. Acting's entirely forgettable and still one of the better things about the film. The presentation of the characters is not memorable at all and neither are their interactions. The boy in the center of it all is depicted as a shy character who struggles with opening up about his sexuality to his dad. So of course it feels very realistic that he has his big coming out not only in front of dozens of audience members, but he also crashes the possibly most important concert of his father. What a likable character isn't he? Oh well, to me more seemed like an attention-seeking little brat. Then again, you cannot really blame the actor as the failure is all with the way the character was written. This film is a mess and the only excuse I can come up with somehow is that it was Schatteman's very first film. The lack of talent in here still makes it obvious that he has to improve a lot before turning to full feature films. The contents in this one (i.e. plot, story, character development or I should say the lack of it all) are a prime example of what is wrong with 80-90% of all gay-themed movies. Saying a film defines itself through the characters' sexuality is one thing, lacking in writing so much that there is absolutely nothing else that feels interesting or realistic is another. And when was the last time a film with hetero characters defined itself through the characters' sexuality? Talk about equality. Anyway, my suggestion is that you stay far far away from "Kiss Me Softly" as this was a truly underwhelming effort.

good intentions

[Kirpianuscus · 10 November 2017]

the good intentions are the basic motif to not be very critic about this short film. in same measure, it is the motif for not looking for understand it.first, because it gives an unrealistic story.second, because all the characters are reduced as sketches status. not the last, because the last scene is real absurd. it is a film who has the ambition to reflect sexual crisis of a teenager. but it gives only a form of improvisation. this is its basic sin. so, one of many films about same theme. nothing surprising. saved, in part, by clichés.