Bringing Him Back

By: Amos Lassen

"BRINGING HIM BACK"
Coming Home
Amos Lassen
Moi (Ricardo Gomez) travels with his boyfriend, Biel (Eneko Sagardoy), to his family home after the death of his mother where Moi struggles to come to terms with his new reality. This includes a disconnect with Biel. When his sister's boyfriend (Joe Manjon) surprises everyone with his arrival, the mood becomes tense. The film is an affecting look at loss, love and human connection that is driven by its characters.
Mio's sister Mia (Bruna Cusi) has already returned to the house and the three twenty-somethings have idyllic days reminiscing about the past, going to the beach, and learning to adapt to the countryside. Mia and Moi's lives are somewhat directionless so they are in no rush to leave the house but it is clear that Moi is suffering from some deep trauma that affects his very being. This trauma intensifies once Mia's sexy, rather antagonistic, ex-boyfriend Mikel (Joe Manjon) comes unannounced for a visit and a series of sensual series follows.
Written and directed by Borja de la Vega, the full back story must be pieced together from clues in the dialogue throughout the film and is fundamental to understanding the plot. I can't say more than that however without giving the plot away. We are taken on a tender journey to some dark places with themes including family trauma, mental health, human connection, abuse, wound healing and loss. Dialogue is often minimal with the characters communicating through looks and silences, allowing us to imagine what is being thought.
Patience is needed to follow this movie. It is striking that contemplative or minimalist cinematographic language is used.
This is a story of emotional stability and principles and the need for fraternal protection.