Undertow (Contracorriente)

The Independent“Both a tender ghost story and an inquiry into South American machismo...” Fuentes-Leó has another reversal in store, however, and his sensitive investigation of marriage, masculinity and devotion becomes cumulatively very moving. It's also handsomely shot by Mauricio Vidal...

The Observer“A gay variation on the Demi Moore movie Ghost...” It's a touching, warm-hearted fable about honesty and tolerance with an authentic lyrical quality...

Channel4 Film“An intriguing, supernaturally coloured story...” A watchable and well-intentioned drama, but one which risks losing its footing straddling a somewhat awkward gulf between Sunset Beach and magic realism...

Little White Lies“The first in what is sure to become Peru’s popular gay ghost genre...” What begins as Brokeback Beach soon takes a turn into the hoary old cliché of magic realism, as a surprising plot twist leaves Miguel with an unusual ethical dilemma. Crisply shot and quietly acted, Undertow is heartfelt drama...

Guardian“Accomplished feature debut...” A gay variation on the Demi Moore movie Ghost, with a strong dash of Blithe Spirit and Latin American magic realism. It's a touching, warm-hearted fable about honesty and tolerance with an authentic lyrical quality...

Time Out film“A true gem...” Achieves a kind of lyricism rarely seen in contemporary gay filmmaking. It’s an impressive debut, and a fine example of Latin American cinema’s use of magical realism to explore difficult themes and deliver deeply affecting messages...

Variety“Leisurely but lovely...” Neither sexually explicit nor showily lyrical, Undertow nonetheless has a sensuous, romantic feel that balances same-sex love with an equally empathetic view toward the adoring, then bewildered, then enraged wife...

The Telegraph“Engaging and easy on the eye...” There’s an interest in the sanctity of burial customs and being true to yourself, but the clumsier moments seem to suggest that you’re better off with an imaginary, dead boyfriend than a real live one...

Empire“A languid, quietly moving love triangle...” A kind of Peruvian Ghost, this ménage-à-trois drama is low-key, tasteful and quietly compelling. Writer-director Javier Fuentes-León tenderly sketches Miguel’s predicament, Mercado doing a great job as a man in love with two people...

Total Film “Not yet reviewed”