The Way He Looks (2014) Movie: This Brazilian Teen Drama Still Moves Hearts a Decade Later
Daniel Ribeiro transforms his short film into a beautiful full-length feature about teenage discovery. This Brazilian drama brings together Ghilherme Lobo, Fábio Audi, and Tess Amorim in a story that feels both intimate and universal. The film explores growing up through fresh eyes.
Leonardo’s world expands when new student Gabriel joins his school. What starts as friendship slowly becomes something deeper. The movie handles teenage emotions with rare sensitivity, showing how relationships can shift and surprise us when we least expect change.
A Fresh Take on Growing Up
This story centers on Leo, a teenager who happens to be blind, living under his parents’ protective care. His friendship with Giovana provides stability until Gabriel’s arrival changes everything. The plot moves at a thoughtful pace, giving characters room to breathe and grow naturally.
What impressed me most was how the film treats Leo’s disability. It never becomes the main focus or creates unnecessary drama. Instead, we see a young person figuring out love, friendship, and independence like any other teenager would.
Actors Who Feel Real
Ghilherme Lobo brings genuine warmth to Leonardo’s character. His performance never feels like acting – you believe he’s actually living these moments. The way he expresses Leo’s curiosity about the world around him feels completely natural and honest.
Fábio Audi creates a memorable Gabriel who’s more than just a love interest. He brings layers to the role that make Gabriel feel like someone you might actually meet. Tess Amorim delivers strong work as Giovana, showing friendship’s complexities when feelings get complicated.
Why This Film Works
The movie succeeds because it treats its characters as people first. Leo’s blindness becomes just one part of who he is, not his entire identity. I loved how the camera work helps viewers understand his experience without being obvious about it.
Music plays a beautiful role throughout the story. The Belle and Sebastian soundtrack feels perfect – it captures that bittersweet feeling of being young and falling in love. The songs never overpower the scenes but add emotional depth where needed.
Small Areas to Improve
The story follows familiar patterns sometimes, though it handles them well. A few supporting characters could have used more development. The film’s quiet approach might feel slow for viewers expecting more dramatic moments throughout the runtime.
Budget limitations show occasionally, but they rarely hurt the story. The focus stays on characters and relationships rather than flashy production values. Sometimes simpler approaches work better for intimate stories like this one.
What Critics Are Saying
Critics gave the film overwhelmingly positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes shows 93% approval from professional reviewers, with most praising its honest approach to difficult topics. Many noted how refreshing it felt to see disability portrayed without pity or sensationalism.
International recognition followed quickly. The Berlin Film Festival awarded it their top LGBTQ+ honor. Critics consistently mentioned the natural performances and the film’s ability to find hope in challenging situations.
How Viewers Responded
Audiences connected strongly with the story. IMDb ratings sit at 7.9, showing broad appeal beyond critics. Viewers particularly loved the authentic relationships and the film’s positive message about acceptance and self-discovery throughout the journey.
The film traveled well internationally, finding appreciation across different cultures. Many viewers mentioned feeling moved by the honest portrayal of first love and the challenges of growing up different in a world that doesn’t always understand.
My Final Take
The Way He Looks works because it respects both its characters and audience. Ribeiro created something special – a film that handles serious topics with lightness and finds beauty in everyday moments. The performances feel genuine throughout every scene.
Rating: 4/5
