I disagree with most reviews, re: the ending. Before getting to that, I was impressed with Matthew Lynn's acting chops. His background is cinemaphotography, and this was his first acting performance! I think he should keep acting, and, no doubt, will develop a following! The ending is ambiguous in that he is still hallucinating (from the drug he and Oliver took), so two scenes where he is carrying out his wife's demands, are only in his head and it isn't till the end when he receives another phone call from his wife telling him he must do Oliver in and implies she will expose him to their families and friends (he's gay for Oliver) and lose her! After the last call, you can see that he has to kill Oliver, for if he doesn't, his whole world will crumble around him a price he was not willing to pay! (Poor Oliver!)
22 Reviews
Inconsistent (most 10s are definetely bots)
crisharu25 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't mind "bad acting" when the film has a good concept overall. When I look beyond the low budget and understand the potential. Unfortunately this was not the case. I finished it cause I wanted to see how it would go. It didn't really end, though??
A lot of this film made no sense to me: Oliver's wife and the 20 USD plot; The 1 USD drug out of nowhere; Oliver always obeying and forgiving Andrew for treating him badly; Andrew takes off his underwear, Oliver sniffs it IN FRONT OF ANDREW and that's a totally normal thing that happens?? And right after that, Andrew draws a line at Oliver seeing him in the shower??
I thought it was a "mutual pining" thing with some kinky undertones. And then Oliver confesses and Andrew clearly knew it. So yeah, okay, Oliver has accepted himself and Andrew hasn't. But then he kisses Oliver and says he needs a drink after that? Acting like the kiss was like a favour? And Andrew's obviously hurt and also thankful??
Then comes the best part of the film, the dancing while high. Followed by the confusing ending where Andrew gets a demanding call from his wife Susan (who we don't hear) then kills Oliver. But wait! It seems he was only imagining it. Then he confesses his love and kisses him. But wait again! We then hear what Susan said. She knows about them and wants it to be over, she has to be his "one and only", cause what will their families think? We hear the complete phone call while we look at a creepy close-up of Andrew's face. The end.
What actually happened? Did Andrew kill Oliver? Did he kiss him? Or did he imagine both and did nothing?
Did Susan really want Oliver dead or did she just want Andrew to say nothing would ever happen? Or maybe she wanted him to "try it out" and then end it?
This could have been good. Most scenes added nothing (Oliver's wife, his job seeking, the Panamá scenery). 1 hour was definitely not enough.
I wasn't expecting the strangling, so that's the reason I felt like I needed to leave this review. Took me about 30 minutes to write it cause I had a lot to think about.
A lot of this film made no sense to me: Oliver's wife and the 20 USD plot; The 1 USD drug out of nowhere; Oliver always obeying and forgiving Andrew for treating him badly; Andrew takes off his underwear, Oliver sniffs it IN FRONT OF ANDREW and that's a totally normal thing that happens?? And right after that, Andrew draws a line at Oliver seeing him in the shower??
I thought it was a "mutual pining" thing with some kinky undertones. And then Oliver confesses and Andrew clearly knew it. So yeah, okay, Oliver has accepted himself and Andrew hasn't. But then he kisses Oliver and says he needs a drink after that? Acting like the kiss was like a favour? And Andrew's obviously hurt and also thankful??
Then comes the best part of the film, the dancing while high. Followed by the confusing ending where Andrew gets a demanding call from his wife Susan (who we don't hear) then kills Oliver. But wait! It seems he was only imagining it. Then he confesses his love and kisses him. But wait again! We then hear what Susan said. She knows about them and wants it to be over, she has to be his "one and only", cause what will their families think? We hear the complete phone call while we look at a creepy close-up of Andrew's face. The end.
What actually happened? Did Andrew kill Oliver? Did he kiss him? Or did he imagine both and did nothing?
Did Susan really want Oliver dead or did she just want Andrew to say nothing would ever happen? Or maybe she wanted him to "try it out" and then end it?
This could have been good. Most scenes added nothing (Oliver's wife, his job seeking, the Panamá scenery). 1 hour was definitely not enough.
I wasn't expecting the strangling, so that's the reason I felt like I needed to leave this review. Took me about 30 minutes to write it cause I had a lot to think about.
Total waste of an hour!
gh-8442113 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!
*****Spoiler***** No closure, weak plot, full of useless filler!
Hope you like looking at lots of dirty water and forest. This plays as more of a tourism film for Panama than anything! Dialogue between the two main characters was so few and left you wondering why this film was ever made!
*****Spoiler***** No closure, weak plot, full of useless filler!
Hope you like looking at lots of dirty water and forest. This plays as more of a tourism film for Panama than anything! Dialogue between the two main characters was so few and left you wondering why this film was ever made!
Terrible. Slow. Boring. Awful.
scottinhawaii-11 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
How can a 71 minute movie be this much of a slog. I've seen bad college student films that were better. The first 20 minutes are absolute crap. The rest was much better. There wasn't much of an ending.
Implausible things: going hiking with duffle bags; taking drugs that someone on the street forced on you for $1; a freelance photographer would only send $20 a month home to his wife in Panama.
Do not believe the overall rating. Someone has stacked the deck.
Implausible things: going hiking with duffle bags; taking drugs that someone on the street forced on you for $1; a freelance photographer would only send $20 a month home to his wife in Panama.
Do not believe the overall rating. Someone has stacked the deck.
Horrible
function00725 April 2021
I recommend it.
marlonb-0452613 October 2017
I recommend the movie. The theme is about what a person can do to live by appearances. They live a superficial life and become obsessed with "what they will say" to such an extent that they become mentally disturbed. In the 21st century, our society is full of taboos that prevent us from being completely happy.
"In Here Life is Beautiful"
alassenamos29 October 2017
"Oasis"
"In Here Life is Beautiful"
Amos Lassen
If you have been following my reviews, you know that I am a fan of director Jorge Ameer. One of the films I reviewed was hit and he has given me the honor of being the first person to write a review of his work. Naturally when he told me that his new film "Oasis" was being screened at Cannes, I became very anxious to see it. Now that I have done so, I want to share with you news of his romantic thriller set in gorgeous Panama. It is the story of two friends whose lives and worlds intersect as they embark on a journey of self-discovery as well as of each other as they visit some of the most beautiful places in the world that are located in the lush country of Panama. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes and I don't mean just the scenery.
While on business in Panama, Andrew (Matt Lynn) visits his friend Oliver (Cesar De Fuentes). Andrew had in his mind that Oliver was doing fine and is surprised to discover that this is not true. It seems that there is trouble and Andrew realizes that when he hear Oliver arguing with his wife, Constancia (Katia Semacaritt). The couple has a daughter but we learn that Oliver lives by appearances and is deeply in debt. When Andrew realizes the truth of his friend, he offers some relief by inviting him to go to some of the more exotic and tropical locales in Panama with the hope that the two men will be able to pick up where their friendship stopped before this trip. What we the learn is that Andrew, however, has his own problems and these problems are put to the test one nigh when a mysterious indigent tells Andrew that he can help him see the future.. Problems that one night are challenged when he meets a mysterious indigent who claims he can help Andrew see the future. I am not sure what Andrew was thinking but he bought the latest synthetic hallucinogenic street drug as a way to stop the indigent from stalking him. Soon, both men experience something sinister, as their curiosity for this drug changes the course of their trip and their lives.
A word of warning— it is very easy to surmise what is going to happen here if you paid attention to the way I thinly wrote about the plot. Do not make any suppositions because you will probably be wrong. It is important to know that Andrew and Oliver are from different social classes and this, of course, does affect them and it thereby affects the film as well.
"Oasis" as the title of the film is perfect in that it describes the beauty of Panama as well as the respite the two men find when they are away from it and exploring the country's beautiful places. It is the peace they find when they are together and not part of the mundane world around them. I can't say any more about the plot without giving something away but I can say something about Jorge Ameer's direction which is perfect. I have always been told that the sign of a fine director is when you do not feels his/her presence. Under Ameer's direction the story flows beautifully. Like I said before, the setting is magnificent and it is wonderfully captured. The actors are also excellent so prepare yourself for a film you will not soon forget. This is a film that deserves 5 GOLD STARS.
"In Here Life is Beautiful"
Amos Lassen
If you have been following my reviews, you know that I am a fan of director Jorge Ameer. One of the films I reviewed was hit and he has given me the honor of being the first person to write a review of his work. Naturally when he told me that his new film "Oasis" was being screened at Cannes, I became very anxious to see it. Now that I have done so, I want to share with you news of his romantic thriller set in gorgeous Panama. It is the story of two friends whose lives and worlds intersect as they embark on a journey of self-discovery as well as of each other as they visit some of the most beautiful places in the world that are located in the lush country of Panama. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes and I don't mean just the scenery.
While on business in Panama, Andrew (Matt Lynn) visits his friend Oliver (Cesar De Fuentes). Andrew had in his mind that Oliver was doing fine and is surprised to discover that this is not true. It seems that there is trouble and Andrew realizes that when he hear Oliver arguing with his wife, Constancia (Katia Semacaritt). The couple has a daughter but we learn that Oliver lives by appearances and is deeply in debt. When Andrew realizes the truth of his friend, he offers some relief by inviting him to go to some of the more exotic and tropical locales in Panama with the hope that the two men will be able to pick up where their friendship stopped before this trip. What we the learn is that Andrew, however, has his own problems and these problems are put to the test one nigh when a mysterious indigent tells Andrew that he can help him see the future.. Problems that one night are challenged when he meets a mysterious indigent who claims he can help Andrew see the future. I am not sure what Andrew was thinking but he bought the latest synthetic hallucinogenic street drug as a way to stop the indigent from stalking him. Soon, both men experience something sinister, as their curiosity for this drug changes the course of their trip and their lives.
A word of warning— it is very easy to surmise what is going to happen here if you paid attention to the way I thinly wrote about the plot. Do not make any suppositions because you will probably be wrong. It is important to know that Andrew and Oliver are from different social classes and this, of course, does affect them and it thereby affects the film as well.
"Oasis" as the title of the film is perfect in that it describes the beauty of Panama as well as the respite the two men find when they are away from it and exploring the country's beautiful places. It is the peace they find when they are together and not part of the mundane world around them. I can't say any more about the plot without giving something away but I can say something about Jorge Ameer's direction which is perfect. I have always been told that the sign of a fine director is when you do not feels his/her presence. Under Ameer's direction the story flows beautifully. Like I said before, the setting is magnificent and it is wonderfully captured. The actors are also excellent so prepare yourself for a film you will not soon forget. This is a film that deserves 5 GOLD STARS.
OASIS:
erebrown-6416719 April 2021
REVIEW: OASIS
My first exposure to Jorge Ameer's works was last Christmas Eve when my partner and I chanced upon his most recent movie, The Family Tree. Years ago, we decided to ditch watching the holiday classics like The Christmas Story, or It's a Wonderful Life as part of our Christmas eve film viewing tradition and instead focus on similarly themed LGBTQ films. In the early years of our new tradition, the pickings were slim, but now, fortunately, the halls are decked with many LGBTQ movies to choose from. Progress, I guess.
So, watching and reviewing OASIS, which Jorge Ameer made in 2017, I felt a bit of apprehension that I might maltreat this movie. That I might compare it to his latest The Family Tree and that it would come up short of the cinematic brilliance that Jorge's 2020 film has achieved for me. So I hemmed and hawed, gave myself all sorts of excuses not to watch Oasis yet, but eventually, the excuses run out. So cautious self-advice be damned, I'm going to the Oasis!
As the logline said, OASIS is about two friends who embark on a tropical expedition to bury their past. But if you know Jorge Ameer, the way I know him now, a "burial of the past" in his world is never just a mere act or ceremony of burying a past- done, over, let's move on. No. It's unearthing skeletons in the ground you just dug; it's digging up the future; it's discovering that Ameer, once more, set us up with a ticking time bomb that could explode in a second or could be disarmed with the flick of a master storyteller/editor's hand.
At the beginning of OASIS, we see Andrew (Matthew Lynn) arriving in Panama, where through a series of stunning shots of the city, we find out that Panama is much more than just a canal. It's breathtaking beaches, modern skyscrapers, and later in the film, lush tropical rainforests. Andrew is here on a business, but he has a more critical agenda on his pretty mind: to reconnect with his friend Oliver (Cesar de Fuentes), whom he last saw days before his own wedding, which Oliver did not attend on purpose.
When Andrew visits Carlos, he sees all sorts of troubles- financial, emotional, psychological, you name it- in his friend's married paradise and decides to take him away from his beautiful nagging wife to a resort for a weekend of chilling and bonding...and then some. Turns out, Andrew suffers from similar issues, so this weekend boding is really for them to heal, resolve, come to terms with their f-up lives. It helps that before they went on this trip, Andrew bought some synthetic hallucinogenic street drug called "Oasis" from a mysterious gypsy, played with gleeful abandon by Jorge Ameer himself!
"The burial of the past," as I've said earlier, turned out to be so much more than that. In this movie, everything life-changing happens as only Ameer can depict it-with whimsy, with humor, with nudity, violence, and, most of all, with the audacity of pushing the film's premise into a deep and daring burial ground.
I saw Jorge's journey as a filmmaker in this movie, and it's incredibly fascinating. I'm very, very interested in what Jorge Ameer's does next.
My first exposure to Jorge Ameer's works was last Christmas Eve when my partner and I chanced upon his most recent movie, The Family Tree. Years ago, we decided to ditch watching the holiday classics like The Christmas Story, or It's a Wonderful Life as part of our Christmas eve film viewing tradition and instead focus on similarly themed LGBTQ films. In the early years of our new tradition, the pickings were slim, but now, fortunately, the halls are decked with many LGBTQ movies to choose from. Progress, I guess.
So, watching and reviewing OASIS, which Jorge Ameer made in 2017, I felt a bit of apprehension that I might maltreat this movie. That I might compare it to his latest The Family Tree and that it would come up short of the cinematic brilliance that Jorge's 2020 film has achieved for me. So I hemmed and hawed, gave myself all sorts of excuses not to watch Oasis yet, but eventually, the excuses run out. So cautious self-advice be damned, I'm going to the Oasis!
As the logline said, OASIS is about two friends who embark on a tropical expedition to bury their past. But if you know Jorge Ameer, the way I know him now, a "burial of the past" in his world is never just a mere act or ceremony of burying a past- done, over, let's move on. No. It's unearthing skeletons in the ground you just dug; it's digging up the future; it's discovering that Ameer, once more, set us up with a ticking time bomb that could explode in a second or could be disarmed with the flick of a master storyteller/editor's hand.
At the beginning of OASIS, we see Andrew (Matthew Lynn) arriving in Panama, where through a series of stunning shots of the city, we find out that Panama is much more than just a canal. It's breathtaking beaches, modern skyscrapers, and later in the film, lush tropical rainforests. Andrew is here on a business, but he has a more critical agenda on his pretty mind: to reconnect with his friend Oliver (Cesar de Fuentes), whom he last saw days before his own wedding, which Oliver did not attend on purpose.
When Andrew visits Carlos, he sees all sorts of troubles- financial, emotional, psychological, you name it- in his friend's married paradise and decides to take him away from his beautiful nagging wife to a resort for a weekend of chilling and bonding...and then some. Turns out, Andrew suffers from similar issues, so this weekend boding is really for them to heal, resolve, come to terms with their f-up lives. It helps that before they went on this trip, Andrew bought some synthetic hallucinogenic street drug called "Oasis" from a mysterious gypsy, played with gleeful abandon by Jorge Ameer himself!
"The burial of the past," as I've said earlier, turned out to be so much more than that. In this movie, everything life-changing happens as only Ameer can depict it-with whimsy, with humor, with nudity, violence, and, most of all, with the audacity of pushing the film's premise into a deep and daring burial ground.
I saw Jorge's journey as a filmmaker in this movie, and it's incredibly fascinating. I'm very, very interested in what Jorge Ameer's does next.
Great film!
gregwave29 March 2018
cool drama
chuchevamn23 April 2021
An unexpected twisted macabre story in beautiful Panama
TALENT-99 May 2021
A very twisted story. Starts out like a travelogue but goes into a dark place towards the end. I didnt know they make movies in Panama,but after watching Oasis it makes me want to visit. Its now on my bucket list of places to visit. Cesar De Fuentes does a great job. Recommended.
Fine drama
mkhl-3541923 April 2021
👍
uliaermakovic24 April 2021
Wow
meirzhan_s23 April 2021
Nice
driouechmiloud22 April 2021
Watch
akbarzadekamal23 April 2021
wonderful movie
andrejviktorovic23 April 2021
Perfect
ashooriamirali23 April 2021
Dood
svitlanakulinic23 April 2021
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