Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Mischa Redfern I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Kinley This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

jaroslaw99 As others have said, this is an interesting peek into another culture - albeit I would think a peculiar exception! 12 year old Maximo Oliveros is playing the role of mother, since his/theirs is deceased, to the other children in his crime ridden barrio family. I saw this a while ago; I distinctly remember other boys wearing lipstick and skirts also or maybe it confused me because it was completely acceptable in the entire community Maximo lived in for him to dress and act swishy with no explanation whatsoever. It was also odd that this child formed a romantic entanglement/friendship with a 25 or 30 year old policeman and his family wasn't concerned about the age difference; only that they might get busted for their criminal activities. I wrote a review for the big red envelope and 3/4 found it not helpful which confused me until I realized this is an art film for people who like such things. I thought it was a story with some broader Gay interest but it isn't and it is unclear Maximo is even Gay nor does it ultimately seem to matter except: As another reviewer wrote - how tolerant is this film since at the end he has shed his feminine clothes, hairstyle and mannerisms and is going to school, which he wasn't before, in ordinary uniform? E.G.: has he discovered it is better to be straight? Straight acting? I give this some points because it was cleverly done and the makers did a good enough job with the characters that you want to find out what happens to them. But it is not something I want to see again. It is just too peculiar.

marcelproust I really didn't know what to expect on sitting down to watch The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros. Only knowing a few details of the plot - a young Philippino boy, the slums of Manila, a cop - I was worried that this was not likely to be the feelgood film of 2007!How wrong I was. This film is one of the most unexpected delights of recent years, anchored by a central performance from 12-year-old Nathan Lopez that is dazzlingly mature and breathtakingly charming. Although the film does veer into melodramatic territory in the predictable conflict between JR Valentin's young cop and Maxi's family of petty criminals, the central storyline of Maxi's crush on the hunky policeman is handled with tremendous sensitivity, humour and warmth.In a perfect world performances like Lopez's would gather awards like daffodils, but in the absence of any trophies I hope he's happy to have created such a memorable character. If your heart doesn't break watching Maxi's story, chances are you have no heart to break.

fjgebaue I saw this at the San Francisco Film Festival... it is really a beautifully done film that has both good laughs and good drama. It is amazing that this film was produced for about $10,000 US and was shot in 13 days in the director's own hometown neighborhood. This film will surprise you with its frankness and honesty, and I can't recommend it highly enough. I've seen plenty of boring and trite or irrelevant films at film festivals. This film is certainly worthy of your time and may change the way you look at poverty, at gay people, and at the nature of families and the love of parent and child, sibling and sibling. It is also a wonderful "barrio" film in the tradition of "Macho Dancer," but I think it does that film one better. I would definitely see this movie once or twice again. It is easily as good as any Hollywood film.

sidsmeets Is Maxi Gay? Well, he dresses like a girl and has a crush on a hunky policeman. But as the story develops one has to wonder whether Maxi is actually a gay preteen or just a troubled boy in a difficult situation. Does it matter? Not really.After the death of his mother due to an unknown illness Maxi has taken over her role in taking care of his two brothers and father, all petty thieves. The arrangement seems to work fine. Maxi delights in cooking and cleaning for his family and enjoys a playing Miss Phillipines with his "girl" friends. But everything changes when a hunky young cop arrives. Maxi develops a crush and is forced to choose between his family and his feelings for the cop. Needless to say thinks get complicated and even turn ugly and violent.This film impressed me when I saw it at a screening at the International Filmfestival Rotterdam. There are faults but mainly the film is strong and well executed. The acting is impressive, although Maxi starts out a bit of a stereotypical screaming queen.If anything the film is a bit too long, there are several moments that could be deleted without much effect. Also the quality of the picture and sound is understandably not up to western standards, although this does not distract from the story and I have seen much worse.One of the questions I am left with is whether this accurately portrays Philipine's attitude towards (effeminate) homosexuality. If so that is to be commended, however it is hard to imagine such utter and complete tolerance, not only of Maxi but also of his friends. In a film with such a premise one sort of expects some exploration of the subject. However the lack thereof does not affect the story, it may even make it stronger.I hope you will go see this movie, if you get the chance!