Jamie passion and passionfruit!

Independent Argentine film that seems low budget but packs a punch well above its weight.  Unfortunately, its setting and the themes dealt with in the film are not going to draw millions to the box office but as a story of poverty, violence, ignorance and exploitation, the film is a low-key and convincing and remains in the mind for a long time afterwards.

Roberto is an 18 year-old gay whose mother and sister barely provide a stable home life.  He wants his independence, a place of his own and a dream romance within the reasonable expectations of an unemployed boy from the southern suburbs of greater Buenos Aires.  He takes up with Raúl, a 50-ish long-haired loner who earns his money from dubious dealings, seems to be a sort of cross between rocker, dealer and local mercenary and who has a very short fuse which results in acts of considerable violence.  The relationship sputters into life that way with Roberto moving in with him, grateful for a home and trying to reform the older man and balance up the relationship in some way.  As he gets to know more about Raúl, who has a history in the neighbourhood, he realizes that he is sucked into a cycle of violence which involves another lover, his family and his friends.

The film is no joyride but Juan José Campusano manages the pacing and direction with confidence, gives us a largely authentic script and leads his inexperienced actors to some excellent performances.  Oscar Génova as Raúl is quite a character, brooding and hard, Nehuén Zapata does an amazingly solid job with Roberto as a mixture of good faith, courage and innocence and Marisa Pájaro as Alejandra, the sister, is a find.  Vil Romance wins a lot of points in its authenticity and simplicity and for the commentary it makes on human relationships particularly in the context of an impoverished social class.

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