Fine Young Men (originally titled Hombres Íntegros in Spanish) tells the story of Alf, a teenager in love. But Alf is in love with the wrong person. A year abroad has completely changed him and he doesn’t feel as comfortable with his friends. Alf has other interests, and among those another teenager named Oliver. Alf and Oliver’s story, as necessary as it felt, was also an introduction to something much more important. A realistic glimpse into some social dynamics that feel poignant, absurd, but extremely relevant.
At first, I wasn’t entirely captivated with Alf’s story. His struggle against toxic masculinity and strong family values felt underwhelming, but eventually, I connected with it. Alf finds comfort in Oliver, and we can’t help but think that he’s a winner in a match that not many decide to play. Even though Oliver does not respond right away, we get to feel optimistic about Alf’s journey. Because, after all, what is more important? That he finds true love? Or that he’s accepted the way he is?
And then Fine Young Men turns into something else. A completely different movie where themes of love and acceptance become secondary to the exploration of something more primal. I won’t spoil this because the twist halfway through works perfectly as the pinch you need in order to understand that, while Alf’s story is uplifting at first, he also lives in a real Mexican society where homophobia and misogyny are frequent.
Alejandro Andrade Pease’s director work is spotless. He pushes for a strong depiction of a part of society that’s armored in terms of intervention and punishment. Alf could easily stay home and be the boy his family wants him to be. But his rebellion is inevitable, and Andrade does his best to conceal the movie as a coming-of-age story where coming out will be the ultimate victory. What ends up happening is far more tragic, a vile act by what some viewers have called “whitexicans.” I couldn’t have said it better.
The twist is so strong that it completely changes the mood of Fine Young Men. An injection of tropes that feels necessary in order to observe that Alf is the culprit as well as the victim. The conclusion is a gut punch because of what it actually represents and not because of what happens to Alf. Andrés Revo’s performance as Alf is great. The young actor achieves the essential balance that allows the viewer to see him as a mashup between a victim, a repressed son, and a privileged boy who will most likely never escape the emotional burden of his crime. His co-stars are equally impressive.
Fine Young Men is not an easy film to watch. It starts as a queer character study that checks all the items in the list of “things that should happen in a rom-com.” But then, it descends towards a darker reality. One in which “men have to be men” regardless of the consequences. Again, I won’t spoil this one, but it may be triggering for some viewers.
Film critic. Lover of all things horror. Member of the OFCS. RT Approved Critic.
