April 19 2013 – A tumble ready, middle aged pugilist and part-time barber long past his prime, who’s short on jabs and even shorter on prize money hangs on to fleeting dreams of what could have been. Long since retired but still picking up fights in the nether regions of boxing lowest rung in Chile, Octavio (Roberto Farias), is waging a losing battle against the hands of time and health. His persistent heart wrenching seizures constantly slaps him down for the count, sets Octavio up for the fight of his life, in Mi Ultimo Round.
Enter Hugo (Hector Morales), the quiet unassuming young man who just lost his mother and his job. With little opportunities he starts to take stock of his future. A twist of fate near the boxing club brings Hugo and Octavio together and a friendship emerges. In quick succession, Octavio’s attraction for Hugo soon turns intense and Hugo can no longer deny his love in this intense and artfully developed scene.
In order for Hugo and Octavio to settle into their new union they make the move from small town Osorno to big city Santiago, and with it comes opportunities for both. After a few false starts, Hugo find a job in a pet supply store and strikes up a very intimate friendship with Jenny (Manuela Martelli), the owners daughter. Meanwhile, Octavio re-ignites his passion for boxing even in the face of his latest medical setback. The arteriovenous malformation he was born with on top of his epileptic seizures will cause irreparable brain damage if he enters the ring. This poisonous news from his doctor, combined with recent details from Jenny about her blossoming relationship with Hugo, propels Octavio and Mi Ultimo Round into a violent “take no prisoners” third act.
Rating 3.5 / 5: This gritty slow burning gay film breaks ground by bucking convention. Gone are the antiquated stereotypes and innuendos that suffocate many movies with a gay subtext. Instead, Director, Julio Jorquera nurtures a mature, emotional understanding between Hugo and Octavio, even in the quietest moments, in a way that transcends orientation. Mi Ultimo Round doesn’t shy away from the scourge of homophobia in all its incarnations and the hate here is debilitating. Instead, Jorquera shows that love and understanding will push past prejudices no matter who you love.
Octavio’s last round is just the beginning.
Genre: Drama
Country: Chile / Argentina
Language: Spanish
Year of Production: 2010
Runtime: 90 minutes
Writer / Director: Julio Jorquera
Producer: Eduardo Castro
Cast: Roberto Farias, Hector Morales, Manuela Martelli, Tamara Acosta, Alejandro Trejo, Yamila Reyna, Luis Dubó, Gonzalo Robles, Ariel Mateluna, Armando Navarrete
T-Mak World: Toronto’s Site for Music, Movies and Culture
 |
| Get the T-Mak World Toolbar to get all the info you need |
