Language Lessons is a movie that is filled with real and raw emotion. The lead actors and unique plot make it one of the best of the year.
Language Lessons is an extremely powerful and emotional movie about platonic friendship — something that is not shown a lot in films. All too often if a male and a female are friends, they end up falling in love, or at least lust. Not in this movie. It is purely about a friendship that develops between Adam (Mark Duplass) and Cariño (Natalie Morales), his online Spanish teacher, after an unexpected tragedy.
In this movie Adam’s husband has purchased him 100 Spanish lessons because he mentioned that he missed the language. They start video lessons online, and then something horrible happens, forcing them to be more open and honest with one another. The two form what seems to be an unbreakable bond via video messages and lessons.
What Works With Language Lessons
The biggest positive about this film is the portrayal of a beautiful platonic relationship. While this is something that is rarely shown in media, this year there was another film that did a great job with it called Together Together. If this is a trend that is picking up in Hollywood, I am very much here for it. Friendships between men and women, and the love that they can have for one another, is something that should be shown in movies and television shows because it is a real part of life.
For a movie that pretty much only has two people in it, the lead actors do a phenomenal job of making viewers care and feel completely invested in their stories. Duplass and Morales seem to have an actual real friendship, and make this story a believable one. During the movie, they are talking video video messages or an online meeting like Zoom or Google Meets. Because of this they are alone on their side of the screen. To have a story with this much separation, but make it feel so undeniable real, raw, and emotional, is a win.
This is largely in part due to the acting, as well as the great writing. Even though it feels like a predictable twist is going to come in the story thanks to the synopsis, the moment it happens is a complete shock and surprise. Many tears were shed thanks to the incredible acting from both Duplass and Morales. It is easy to become wholeheartedly invested in this movie, and want only the best for the two of them.
As for the length, it is perfect. Just 91 minutes which is more than enough to tell the story that they wanted to, and get the point across. Any longer and the movie could have easily taken a dip and dragged on a bit. Instead viewers are able to remain completely in it for the entire length of the movie — start to finish.
What Doesn’t Work With Language Lessons
There is only one, very small, issue that I have with Language Lessons. Morales’ character, at one point, just gets disconnected and mean. It seems completely out of the blue, at least to the extent that it is done. That took me out of the fantasy, just for a moment, and I was pretty much hurt by the way she was treating Adam. While there is an explanation for it a bit later, it still felt a bit too much for the situation, and like it came out of left field.
Overall Thoughts
Language Lessons is a beautiful story about platonic love and friendship, and the unbreakable bonds that humans can create with other humans. In a world filled with so much hate and anger right now, this is a wonderful and emotional story that hits viewers right in the hearts. It is nearly impossible to not fall in love with Adam and Cariño in the first few minutes of the film, and truly believe their friendship and connection.
There are real and raw moments and emotions shown throughout the film. The format is unique as it is done through video messages and meetings, although with the state of the world more and more movies are being done this way. This one is a complete joy to watch, thanks mostly to the lead actors, and is one of the best movies of the year.
An extremely touching and emotional movie that proves platonic love and friendship is a very real thing. The two leads are phenomenal.
About Language Lessons
When Adam’s (Mark Duplass) husband surprises him with weekly Spanish lessons, he’s unsure about where or how this new element will fit into his already structured life. But when tragedy strikes, his Spanish teacher, Cariño (Natalie Morales), becomes a lifeline he didn’t know he needed.
Adam develops an unexpected and complicated emotional bond with Cariño — but do you really know someone just because you’ve experienced a traumatic moment with them? Bittersweet, honest, and at times darkly funny, LANGUAGE LESSONS is a disarmingly moving exploration of platonic love.
Language Lessons releases in select theaters September 10th.
