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The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros(Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros)

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Philippines · 2005
1h 40m
Director Auraeus Solito
Starring Nathan Lopez, Soliman Cruz, Neil Ryan Sese, Ping Medina
Genre Comedy, Drama

Maxi, a 12 year old boy, has grown into his homosexual feelings. When Maxi is assaulted one evening, Victor, a police officer, comes to his aid. Maxi soon develops a crush on Victor, who shows a platonic affection for the young lad. The unorthodox friendship is strained when Victor's job leads him to Maxi's brothers and father.

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What are critics saying?

60

Variety by Dennis Harvey

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

70

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.

90

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.

70

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.

75

New York Post by V.A. Musetto

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

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