Night Stage

"Matias" (Gabriel Faryas) is an aspiring dancer who gets his kicks by hooking up with men in the park or online. One evening, he encounters the enigmatic "Rafael" (Cirillo Luna) at a swanky house that is apparently scheduled to be demolished, for what is supposed to be an one night stand - but both men quickly realise there is an unexpected and inexplicable electricity between them. This latter man is initially very cautious, but as the pair meet more often they begin to get more enjoyment from increasingly risky scenarios and that caution is gradually thrown more to the wind. That might be dangerous for "Rafael" as it turns out he is a politician in the running to be mayor of the city in the forthcoming elections, and needless to say he has to avoid scandal at all costs. Meantime, back on the theatrical front, "Matias" and his flatmate "Fabio" (Henrique Barreira) are vying for a leading part in a play and for a television drama serial that could change one of their lives. As "Fabio" cottons on to the dynamic of the relationship between his rival and the politician, he sees an opportunity for himself which he rather unwisely takes to "Camilo" (Ivo Müller) - the would-be mayor's campaign manager/fixer who is quite prepared to take whatever drastic measures are neccesary to protect his boss/investment. So now with a great deal to play for, things start to become a little perilous for just about all concerned. Stylistically, this is quite a well put together film that captures some of the seamier side of life in this city where men congregate in a park that's but yards from the main thoroughfare. There is also quite a bit of charismatic intensity from the athletic looking Luna but the story is all a little undercooked - the character of "Rafael" especially. The thriller elements that could have delved more into the world of political intrigues and machinations are all too often left on the sidelines as, instead, we watch them engage in more dimly-lit sex. Sadly, this struggles to sustain our interest for it's almost two hours and there are far more characterful dramas on this theme from Brazil to watch than this.