I have to admit that I like the fact that the hard-living main character just happens to be in a wheelchair. People come in all shapes, colors, sized and some even have physical disabilities. So why shouldn't movies and tv shows reflect that?
The main character is a macho, and he's no saint, that's for certain. But he's a decent human being.
When his son turns out to be gay, he has no patience for anyone who tries to act like there is anything wrong with being gay. He's ready to put anyone in their place if it needs doing. He even has to argue with his ex-wife to make her a bit more accepting. Yes, the ex-wife's fears are based partly on her concern that her son will be bullied or mistreated. But it's also because it's simply hard for her to accept.
Straight men always get such a bad rap for being homophobic and women are supposedly more accepting. In my experience, that's not necessarily true. Not by a long shot. So the writers have added a bit of truth into the story - a rugged, macho who is gay friendly. And it's all part and parcel of his no BS personality. It happens that way, sometimes.
Really, that's only a minor part of the plot. But it does speak to the sort of human being the main character is - someone who would be on the side of people who are unfairly treated.
There are times when he is forced to reflect on his past actions, before he became sober (and then became un-sober again right in front of our eyes), and he is able to apologize to people he's hurt.
Oh yeah, and being in a wheelchair doesn't seem to prevent hot women from being attracted to him. Who knew a dude in a wheelchair would be sexy? (He is.)
The production values are good. Nothing seems cheap or cheesy, even though those types of things can be overcome by a good story line, in my opinion.
What else? Well, the dude's a journalist by profession. He's trying to redeem himself after having spent time starring in a trashy television program that specializes in celebrity scandals. As for how he redeems himself? You'll have to watch the series to find out.
It's well worth your time, in my opinion.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Juana Brava
(2015)
Very Enjoyable
7 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Juana Brava is about an underdog who definitely has her flaws, yet she is a very decent human being. After being involved in a crime, she flees the big city of Santiago, Chile to her small hometown, where her father is a corrupt mayor.
With the help of people she befriends, she is able to do a lot of good for the community and for individuals who aren't able to stand up for themselves. Throughout, I was hoping her past wouldn't catch up with her. It was clear that she loved her son very much and would have done anything for him.
Overall, it was a well-made movie with an interesting plot and good production values. I recommend it.
La niña
(2016– )
From the beginning, it pulls the viewer into the story.
7 February 2019
For me, saying that I very quickly felt pulled into the story is one of the biggest compliments I can give. I started to care about the characters very quickly, too. I watched La Nina compulsively from the first episode. It's one of those stories that stick with me. I found myself thinking about the characters even after I had finished watching the entire series.
I found myself wondering what I would do if I lived in a country with multiple factions, including the government and its military plus right wing militia groups and left wing guerillas, all battling for control of the country. Oh yeah, plus the drug cartels and the various groups who became in the drug business to raise funds for their cause.
And what if you were a young child who was taken from her parents and forced to kill - facing torture, rape and death if you failed to comply?
It would take a very strong, brave person to come back from such a hellish existence and to re-learn human values like empathy and the desire to help others. Never mind going to university and studying a very difficult, technical field in order to serve others.
It's hard to say enough positive things about this telenovela.
Lady, La Vendedora de Rosas
(2015– )
Very Good, But..
7 February 2019
A very good telenovela, but sometimes it seemed like the stream of anti-gay, homophobic insults was never ending. It really wasn't necessary to advance the plot in any way.
Some people might not be aware of the extent because the English subtitles frequently substitute a generic insult instead of the explicitly homophobic putdowns that the actors use in Spanish.
Usually, I wouldn't comment on the anti-gay language. But it was truly excessive in this series.
I would consider giving this series a nine or a ten, but sorry. The gratuitous, unnecessary homophobia is appalling. The story is otherwise well done.
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