A Real Man: A Small, Dusty Piece of History

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like they were pulled out of a shoebox in an attic, you’ll probably find something here to like. It’s not for the people who need a constant hit of adrenaline or a tight, air-tight script. If you’re allergic to melodrama, look elsewhere, maybe check out Morocco if you want something with more professional polish. But if you have a soft spot for actors who actually look like they lived a bit, stick around.

There is something about the way Luis G. Barreiro carries himself in this. He isn’t trying to be a movie star. He’s just trying to be a guy in a room, and that makes all the difference.

Oddly specific notes

• The lighting in that one hallway scene is so dim you can barely tell who is talking. It’s kind of great, honestly.
• I’m pretty sure the same background extra appears in three different scenes wearing the exact same hat. I started playing a game of 'find the hat' halfway through.
• The sound mixing is… well, it’s certainly something. You can hear the hum of the camera in the quiet bits.

The film doesn’t have the grand, sweeping energy of Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald. It feels smaller. Like someone whispered a secret that you weren’t really supposed to hear. That’s the charm, I guess.

There’s a moment about an hour in where the lead just stares at a glass of water for what felt like an eternity. It didn’t advance the plot. It didn’t tell us anything new about his internal struggle. It was just… time passing. I liked it.

You can tell they were running on a tight budget. You can feel the edges of the set almost pushing into the frame. It’s not smooth, and it’s definitely not perfect, but it’s real.

I wouldn’t call this a masterpiece. I wouldn’t even call it 'must-see.' But it’s got a pulse. Sometimes that’s enough to keep you watching until the credits roll. 📽️