Daniel Nolasco’s second feature, Only Good Things (Apenas Coisas Boas) is a mindfuck of a tricky flick.
Set in Catalão, Brazil in 1984, it begins in deceptively simple fashion as we travel on motorcycle with tight-jeaned cutie Marcelo (Liev Carlos) as “On My Mind,” a moody country ballad plays on the soundtrack. He, strangely, collides with a television and is discovered by tight-jeaned loner Antônio (Lucas Drummond), who brings Marcelo back to his small farm, strips him down and tends to his wounds—which later includes licking some of his blood.
The two embark on a passionate affair, doing each other in the outdoor shower, spooning in bed and frolicking in the nearby São Marcos River.
But Antônio’s homophobic dad has sent a disruptor to his farm and things take a tragic turn. Or do they? In Lynchian fashion, Nolasco’s narrative takes a wildly enigmatic turn. Are we now in an alternate universe? A dream? A nightmare? And what exactly is going on with that haunting, enlarged photograph?
The filmmaker has a daring style all his own and his clever storytelling beguiles, as do his two leads. Both are quite alluring. Drummond looks like he just stepped out of a 1970s leather bar.
The erotically-charged, somewhat hardcore sex scenes and oodles of nudity will certainly attract the gay crowd, but Nolasco isn’t presenting the salacious to be provocative. He’s showing a slice of carefree gay life the way it was right before AIDS changed everything. And like in many Alain Guiraudie’s brilliant films, notions of danger and death seem to go hand in hand with all things sexual.
The filmmaker is also questioning antiquated notions about masculinity and challenging today’s puritanical ideas of how far indie filmmakers can and should push carnal boundaries.
The film is beautifully photographed by DP Larry Machado.
Nolesco’s last movie, Dry Wind, also featured mysterious characters and semi-hardcore sex and dove into gay subculture.
In the end, Only Good Things didn’t quite satisfy me (an ironic choice of phrase), but I was continuously intrigued. And I look forward to Nolasco’s next cinematic expression.
In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Only Good Things is a NewFest37 Virtual Exclusive Selection and will stream Oct 9-21. For tickets and more info visit NEWFEST.
