Pedro, a gay man with an active social life and big circle of friends, takes in his nephew Bernardo for a couple weeks. When it appears as though it might become a permanent arrangement, however, Pedro turns to his friends for guidance as he and 9-year-old Bernardo begin to forge a household together.
Had the story had more oomph to it, its stance would have seemed a lot more important as an artistic issue. But as things sit, it's an abstract plus indeed.
– Desson Thomson,
Washington Post,
21 Jan 2005
fresh:
It turns into a subtle character study that both gay and straight audiences will find moving.
– John Monaghan,
Detroit Free Press,
4 Feb 2005
fresh:
Albaladejo takes a warm approach to his characters, from Pedro's boisterous circle of like-minded gay pals (known as 'bears' for their stocky builds and facial hair) to Bernardo's paternal grandmother.
– Rene Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
18 Feb 2005
rotten:
Suddenly this careful and patient movie turns cheap and hasty, with unexpected disclosures, desperate curveballs, and crocodile tears. It's not ruinous, but it's not good either.
– Wesley Morris,
Boston Globe,
15 Apr 2005
fresh:
Thoroughly likable, it never resorts to sentimental cliches or moralistic epiphanies.