The Way He Looks
7.9
93%
71
7.9
A blind Brazilian teenager tests the boundaries of independence and first love when a charismatic new classmate upends his plans.
Ember's analysis
- MoodBright
- EnergyEnergetic
- PacingMeasured
- IntensityModerate
- ComplexityEasy to follow
- ViolenceNone
More about the film
Overview
A poignant coming-of-age tale that explores the beauty of first love and the struggle for independence.
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as compassionate, emotionally detailed, and warmly engaging, with resonant characters and strong performances.
What sets it apart
- Leonardo seeks independence from his overprotective mother while navigating the practical and emotional limits imposed by his blindness.
- Leonardo's feelings for Gabriel develop gradually as he questions his identity and worries about expressing affection.
- The film emphasizes quiet friendship, classroom encounters, tentative affection, and small gestures rather than melodramatic conflict.
- Leonardo's exchange-program plans and conflict with his protective mother place adolescent autonomy within contemporary Brazilian family and school life.
Films like The Way He Looks, and why
- Handsome Devilgentle queer coming of age, intimate adolescent romance, and tender character-focused storytelling
- Dating Amberwarm LGBTQ+ teen romance shaped by friendship, identity, and fear of rejection
- Tomboyemotionally detailed queer adolescence, restrained romance, and compassionate social observation
Movie Details
- Director
- Daniel Ribeiro
- Release Date
- 2014-04-10
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (1014)
Common questions
- What is The Way He Looks about?
- A blind Brazilian teenager tests the boundaries of independence and first love when a charismatic new classmate upends his plans.
- What is The Way He Looks like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Way He Looks as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Way He Looks violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Way He Looks.
- What did critics think of The Way He Looks?
- Critics broadly praised the film as compassionate, emotionally detailed, and warmly engaging, with resonant characters and strong performances.
- Which films are like The Way He Looks?
- Films with a similar feel include Handsome Devil, Dating Amber, and Tomboy.
- How long is The Way He Looks?
- The Way He Looks runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Way He Looks?
- In United States, The Way He Looks streams on Kanopy, Strand Releasing Amazon Channel.
Cast
- Daniel RibeiroDirector
- Ghilherme LoboLeonardo
- Fábio AudiGabriel
- Tess AmorimGiovana
- Lúcia RomanoLaura
- Eucir de SouzaCarlos
- Selma EgreiAvó Maria
- Isabela GuascoKarina
- Victor FilgueirasGuilherme
- Pedro CarvalhoFábio
- Guga AuricchioCarlinhos
