The Way He Looks

(Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho)

In select theaters
November 7^th 2014

96 minutes

Portuguese

Brazil

Set against the music of Belle and Sebastian, Daniel Ribeiro's coming of age tale, THE WAY HE LOOKS is a fun and tender story about friendship and the complications of young love. Leo is a blind teenager who’s fed up with his overprotective mother and the bullies at school. Looking to assert his independence, he decides to study abroad to the dismay of his best friend, Giovana. When Gabriel, the new kid in town, teams with Leo on a school project, new feelings blossom in him that make him reconsider his plans. Meanwhile, Giovana, grows jealous of this new found companionship as tensions mount between her and Leo.

starring...

Ghilherme Lobo

Leonardo

Fabio Audi

Gabriel

Tess Amorim

Giovana

Lucia Romano

Laura

Eucir de Souza

Carlos

Selma Egrei

Avo Maria

Isabela Guasco

Karina

Writen & Directed By

Daniel Ribeiro

Producer

Diana Almeida

Director of Photography

Pierre de Kerchove

Editor

Cristian Chinen

Sound Recordist

Gabriela Cunha

Art Direction

Olivia Helena Sanches

Casting

Luciano Baldan

81% on the CINEMETER

STL

80% - Oct 26, 2014

A new twist on a tale that's happened so many time. It was interesting to have the normal teenage obliviousness sort of physically manifested by Leo's inability to see what's going on. Also, proves that teenagers everywhere can be terrible to people they don't understand.
St. Louis Member

That powerful scene Leo has with Gabriel's hoodie exemplfies the subtlety this gorgeous piece of cinema presents. The actors were superb and I love the boldness of the filmmaker. Finally, a tender and sweet love story that gives its gay characters a BRIGHT future!
St. Louis Member

What a wonderful young love story! Thought the three main actors were so sweet together. So happy to see a story about the young boys falling for each other without a tragedy somewhere mixed in. Wish more lovely love stories were told. Thank you!
St. Louis Member

I loved it. Compassion and friendship is the basis of life. I'm so glad I saw this film. It was so much like in my late teens. I found out my best friend was gay and loved him anyway. Thank you.
St. Louis Member

Interesting film—you don't usually find this subject matter all wrapped up in one film: teenage coming of age, friendship, sex, homosexuality. It was a wonderful, a credible story, although about blindness + homosexuality. More a story of sweet and credible relationships.
St. Louis Member

Loved it. Lived it with two gay friends in high school. Well-written. They went through much of the same, very real, and now they go to movie club.
St. Louis Member

MIL

86% - Oct 26, 2014

Good teen story. They made Leo look more "stupid" than blind.
Milwaukee Member

Sweet but slow.
Milwaukee Member

As predicted, a very sweet film!
Milwaukee Member

70% - Oct 19, 2014

Sensitive treatment of a rich topic. Glad they didn't fall back on cliches about bullying and coming of age. The uplifting ending was a pleasant surprise.

Greater New Haven Member

Just loved this movie! It was so sweet, tender and serene. A love story which transcended the infirmity [of blindness] and the taboos about homosexuality.

Greater New Haven Member

A very cute coming of age story - I loved that Leo's biggest problems were overprotective parents and the confusions of first love: the same struggles every kid goes through.
Greater New Haven Member

BOS

81% - Oct 19, 2014

Sweet, endearing and a lovely film. Important and wonderful for young people..
Boston Member

Lovely story. I did not feel manipulated the way I might have had the same story been handled by Hollywood.
Boston Member

Delicately told coming of age story. Treats the kids gently and lovingly.
Boston Member

The time has come to add depth like this to the film club. Excellent - has my vote
Boston Member

Very tender and loving. Simple and beautiful.
Boston Member

Captures well the pain/vulnerability of being a teenager -- gently portrayed in just the right way too. Highlighted the issues of blindness and homosexuality in coming of age...
Boston Member

ATL

89% - Oct 26, 2014

Best gay film ever! But more importantly, best coming of age film ever! Appreciate the non-gratuitous approach to handling of sex--unlike Hollywood.
Atlanta Member

A nice explanation of teenage coming of age with a twist. Deals with gay themes in a sensitive and sensual way without overdramatizing.
Atlanta Member

An amazing coming of age story of love in multiple forms. Ending had me in tears. Will highly recommend.
Atlanta Member

A charming, beautifully shot film that captures a coming of age story in a fresh, sweet way.
Atlanta Member

Strand Releasing