Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas

Sophisticated in its ease and spontaneity, it was directed with clarity and rigor by Auraeus Solito from Michiiko Yamamoto's acutely perceptive script.

L.A. Weekly by Ernest Hardy

Nathan Lopez, armed with a diva's slinky cat walk and determination, is absolutely fantastic as Maximo.

New York Post by V.A. Musetto

Preteen sexuality is a sensitive subject, but director Auraeus Solito handles it with dignity, never becoming exploitative.

The New York Times by Nathan Lee

Directed by Auraeus Solito from a screenplay by Michiko Yamamoto, Maximo has charmed film festival audiences from Sundance to Jerusalem with its refreshingly blasé handling of homosexuality, its amiable actors and its delicacy of milieu. Credit, above all, the talented Mr. Lopez, whose effortless charisma buoys the movie even when it goes heavy with contrivance.

Village Voice by Dennis Lim

In much the same fashion as Gregg Araki's "Mysterious Skin", Auraeus Solito's feature debut confronts the taboo of pre-teen sexuality with a startling mix of openness and sensitivity. No less than precocious Maxi, the film is alarming, endearing, and utterly unflappable.

Variety by Dennis Harvey

An unusually low-key Filipino drama whose neo-realist air generally triumphs over the script's violent, tearful contrivances.

The Hollywood Reporter by Richard James Havis

A neatly observed take on Manila street life. Pegged to a gay theme, it works best as a character-driven slice of social realism.