In Sublime, Manu is a 16-year-old teen who lives in a small coastal town. Like other teenagers, Manu goes to school, hangs out with his mates, and has a girlfriend.
But while Manu likes his girlfriend, he is not in love with her. She wants their relationship to progress, he’s not so keen, and it is all because he is in love with his best friend, Felipe.
Manu and Felipe have been friends since they were children. They are very close, and they perform in a band together, but Felipe doesn’t know about Manu’s true feelings.
But after much soul searching, does Manu keep his affections to himself, or is it finally time to confess his love to his best friend? And if he does tell Felipe how he feels, will this alter their friendship forever?
Written and directed by Mariano Biasin, Sublime is an Argentinian LGBTQ+ coming-of-age drama about the problems and pitfalls of unrequited love. The movie stars Martín Miller and Teo Inama Chiabrando, and is a slow burning tale which is available to rent or buy on video-on-demand platforms from today.
Subtle in its approach and quite contemplative, Sublime is a story of love, but with the romantic side of the story kept firmly on the outskirts. This is a film about what it feels like to be in love, rather than a full-blown romance, and as such it looks at how affection impacts thoughts and actions, and how this plays out in day-to-day life.
Unlike some LGBTQ+ coming-of-age stories, Sublime isn’t about showing the rise and fall of a relationship, it is about navigating feelings and expectations. Sublime is very much about a personal journey for Manu and is less concerned with providing plot contrivances and neat little wrap-ups, and more interested in exploring what real life can be like for a gay teen in love.
Leading the film is a strong performance by Martín Miller, who brings a warmth and a gentle touch to the role of Manu. Miller makes the teenager relatable, without the need for any grand gestures or flashy set pieces, and he becomes the driving force of the story.
This whole picture is kept very low-key, and Miller’s performance matches the tone and mood perfectly. The story revolves around Manu, as well as his friendship with Felipe, and what he brings to the role makes it all feel very real and believable.
To back up Miller’s performance there is strong direction from writer/director Mariano Biasin, who ensures this film doesn’t fall into the usual clichés associated with teen romance stories, and the story he tells is very interesting. He brings his characters together, allows them to go where they need to, but always keeps reality at the forefront of his picture.
I won’t spoil whether Manu and Felipe ultimately get together, but I will say that it is almost irrelevant to the story. This is simply not that kind of movie – so keep this in mind.
While Sublime may not work for everyone, it tells a story which is touching and beautifully told and for many this will hit the right spot. Sublime is a tale about love and friendship, and how the two can be intertwined, and it offers a fine alternative to the usual romance stories.
If you want a full-blown love-fest, then this probably isn’t for you, but if you want something lighter, and with depth, then give it a go. Sublime is a great little picture, with real heart.
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