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Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Before We Forget' Review: A Reflective Gay Love Story About an Argentinian Filmmaker Who Yearns for the One Who Got Away
'Before We Forget' begins with a 'perfect ending.' Or at least that's what Matias (Juan Pablo Di Pace) is told by his producer, Paolo (Juan Cruz Márquez de la Serna), who's desperate to wrap up their last day of filming. In the scene they've just shot, one young man reaches out to another who's sleeping in a bed beside him, hand outstretched. But Matias isn't satisfied. How can he just end things there on an empty note of such longing? Paolo talks him out of filming yet another take where the lead touches the other boy's face and instead urges his friend to wrap things up. Matias gives in and the crew applauds, eager to finish and get back to their loved ones after working six hours overtime. The unfulfilled promise of that so-called 'perfect ending' continues to bother Mathias, however, because it speaks to an unrequited love of his own that the film he's now editing is actually based on. Even with the opportunity to do that love justice in a director's cut of his own life, Matias is unable to give himself the closure he needs. From that point on, 'Before We Forget' shifts between the present and 1997, the year where a much younger Matias (Santiago Madrussan) fell for a Swedish boy at an international school in Duino, Italy. Yet there's a third, invisible layer that adds more weight to these memories, as delicate as they can be, because Di Pace, who plays the filmmaker, actually co-directed the film alongside Andres P. Estrada ('Argentina, 1985'). Together, they draw upon real-life events from Di Pace's time at UWC Adriatic, the same school where his fictional counterpart, Matias, first met Alexander (Oscar Morgan). As such, the yearning feels more tangible, accentuated by homemade videos shot on camcorder where it seems Di Pace too is reckoning with memories parallel to Matias in his directorial debut. But even without that meta-knowledge, it's in the past where this Argentina-U.S.-Italy co-production comes alive. Theatre kid energy aside, it's endearing and also very believable how quickly the pair become entranced with each other, sharing Monty Python quotes that no one else seems to get or care for. Young Matias and Alexander almost immediately construct their own little world impenetrable to others in the way that 'special' friends so often do (and especially did in the 90s, when admitting there's something more to this kind of connection was much harder to process). Gays of that generation were often forced to read between the lines, and became adept at doing so, yet even when Alexander talks of love or pulls Matias in close, it's still hard for Matias to tell whether this cute, energized, posh boy feels the same way he does. The film itself is also rather coy or even withheld when it comes to actually discussing queerness. No one ever says the word 'gay,' even if it's danced around often. Physically, the film holds back as well, with only one kiss that actually matters, but even then it comes with a caveat, as 'Before We Forget' is less interested in love than yearning — which some might argue is the gayest kind of love, especially on screen. Here, Matias yearns for Alexander, and also for the past they shared 25 years prior.'That dreamy, teenage ache,' as Di Pace described it to IndieWire, is perhaps most evocative of recent efforts by Luca Guadagnino where desire regularly goes unspoken. That outstretched hand especially, the one Matias wishes he'd pushed just a little bit further, brings to mind the ectoplasmic fingers Lee used to stroke the face of Allerton, his unwitting beloved in 'Queer.' 'Challengers' also plays with longing through the erotically charged rally of looks and smirks and gropes shared by the internet's favorite love triangle, on and off court. But it's in 'Call Me By Your Name' where these parallels are most are echoes in these films' shared Italian setting, of course, even if the school in 'Before We Forget' is not as lush as Elio's summertime retreat. What's most striking, however, is a scene towards the end where Matias's mother (an incredible Araceli González) realizes the true extent of her son's feelings for Alexander. 'As parents, we make a lot of mistakes…' The monologue that ensues, delivered from the cramped front seat of the family car, is a stirring plea for forgiveness from a parent who did what she thought was best. It's staggering in its empathy, an emotional gut punch that comes out of nowhere but ends up becoming the centerpiece of the entire film. Given a wider release, this bruised rush of dialogue could resonate in the same way that Michael Stuhlbarg's speech did in 'Call Me By Your Name.' 'Before We Forget' may not be in quite the same league as Guadagnino's work, but fans of the latter will find plenty to long for here, even if the sluggish modern-day components detract from the compelling, sensitive love story they look back upon. That's not to say they don't serve an important function. In fact, they further enhance said love story in hindsight, but the momentum slows each time we return to the present, culminating in an ending that's, well, not quite perfect. At least not for us. It feels a little too neat or contrived for that, and almost too sudden in its arrival, but it is a 'perfect' ending for Mathias, even if it's not quite the one he was looking for. More from IndieWire 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' to Open BFI London Film Festival 2025 How 'Superman' Star Nathan Fillion Built His 'Jerk' Superhero Around Unexpected 'Golden Girls' Inspiration 29 Palms Entertainment will release 'Before We Forget' in select theaters on Friday, July 11. Want to stay up to date on IndieWire's film and critical thoughts? to our newly launched newsletter, In Review by David Ehrlich, in which our Chief Film Critic and Head Reviews Editor rounds up the best new reviews and streaming picks along with some exclusive musings — all only available to subscribers. Best of IndieWire The 25 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies, Ranked Every IndieWire TV Review from 2020, Ranked by Grade from Best to Worst
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Mamma Mia!' actor recalls ‘unbearable' day on set — and how Christine Baranski reacted to complaints
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!… a fan. 'Mamma Mia!' actor Juan Pablo Di Pace is recalling an unbearably hot day on the set of the franchise's first film — and how Christine Baranski kept it cool. Baranski, 73, played Tanya in the 2008 musical comedy and reprised her role in its 2018 sequel, 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.' 7 Baranski played Tanya in 2008's 'Mamma Mia!' and 2018's 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 7 Di Pace appeared as Petros, later revealed to be Harry Bright's (Colin Firth) partner, in the original film. Universal Pictures Di Pace portrayed Petros in the original installment, appearing in dance numbers throughout and later revealed to be Harry Bright's (Colin Firth) partner. 'I just loved every second of rehearsing and shooting it,' Di Pace, 45, exclusively told The Post, specifically reflecting on the iconic 'Does Your Mother Know' beach scene with Baranski. 'We were all just so hot, and it was really summer, like the heat was unbearable,' he explained. 'We had to do this massive number, all the boys around her, and eight hours later, all the boys, who were 20, were complaining.' That's when Baranski spoke up. 7 Baranski in the iconic 'Does Your Mother Know' beach scene in 'Mamma Mia!' Universal Pictures 'Come on, guys, we're doing what we love,' he recalled her saying. 'All of a sudden, everyone just got it. We were like, 'Yeah, what are we complaining about? This is exactly what we're here for,'' Di Pace said. 'It was amazing, and she's amazing, and everyone in that movie was just so great,' he concluded. 7 'Mamma Mia!' premiered 17 years ago on July 18, 2008. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Mamma Mia!' premiered 17 years ago on July 18, 2008. Both a prequel and a sequel, 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' hit theaters on July 20, 2018, within days of its predecessor's release. Since then, there have been ongoing talks of a 'Mamma Mia! 3,' which Baranski said is in the works. 'I was in London [producer] Judy Craymer at our favorite watering hole, [and] she is planning 'Mamma Mia! 3,'' she told the Hollywood Reporter in an interview published in August 2024. 'She gave me the narrative plotline of how it's going to happen.' 7 There have been ongoing talks of a 'Mamma Mia! 3.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 'The Gilded Age' star said Craymer 'makes things happen,' noting that she made the second 'Mamma Mia!' movie, and it was 'a phenomenal hit.' 'I wouldn't put it past Judy Craymer to get everybody back together,' Baranski added. In the meantime, the stage production of the hit musical is heading back to Broadway this summer. 7 Di Pace makes his feature debut this month with 'Before We Forget.' New York Post It is returning to the Winter Garden Theatre, where it originally opened in 2001, with previews set to begin on August 2 and opening night scheduled for August 14. The limited Broadway engagement is set to run through February 1, 2026. Di Pace is known for his role as Fernando, Kimmy Gibbler's on-again, off-again lover, in 'Fuller House.' He also portrayed Jesus in NBC's 'A.D.: The Bible Continues' and finished fifth on Season 27 of 'Dancing with the Stars.' 7 The Broadway revival of 'Mamma Mia!' is returning to the Winter Garden Theatre this summer. Getty Images The Argentine actor makes his directorial debut this month with 'Before We Forget,' a nostalgic, years-spanning story of queer first love — in which he also stars. The film is set for theatrical release in New York on July 11, Los Angeles on July 18, and additional markets on July 25.
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Mamma Mia!' star reveals the ‘special' advice Norman Lear gave him before his death
Sometimes, the right words come at exactly the right time. The 'Mamma Mia!' star Juan Pablo Di Pace is revealing the advice Norman Lear gave him before the late screenwriter's death in 2023 at age 101. Lear is credited as an executive producer on Di Pace's upcoming film 'Before We Forget.' In addition to starring in the movie, Di Pace also co-wrote and co-directed it. 7 Di Pace stars in, wrote and directed the upcoming film 'Before We Forget.' Getty Images 7 Lear is credited as an executive producer on Di Pace's 'Before We Forget.' AP 'In the process of editing, I remember there were all these opinions flying around,' Di Pace, 45, exclusively told The Post. 'He point-blank said to me, 'Listen, Juan Pablo, you and Andrés [Pepe Estrada] should do the film you want to make. Don't listen to anyone. Because at the end of the day, it's your legacy, and it's your film.' Pepe Estrada, editor of the 2022 Oscar-nominated international feature 'Argentina, 1985,' wrote and directed the flick alongside Di Pace. The 'Fuller House' actor explained that he and Pepe Estrada were introduced to Lear through Brent Miller, another executive producer on 'Before We Forget.' 7 Di Pace plays the older version of Matias in 'Before We Forget.' Act III Productions 'It was an incredible thing to be walking alongside Andrés with the blessing of Norman Lear,' Di Pace said. He added that Lear was a 'really wonderful presence' and said the advice the 'All in the Family' creator gave him 'changed [his] whole perspective of the process.' 'That might be a simple thing to hear, but coming from him — and especially when you are doing a piece that is so personal and that you want it to have your voice — for a debut, first-time director, it was very special to hear it from him,' Di Pace concluded. 7 Di Pace is known for his roles in 'Fuller House,' 'Mamma Mia!' and 'A.D.: The Bible Continues.' Di Pace is known for his role as Fernando, Kimmy Gibbler's on-again, off-again lover, in 'Fuller House.' He also portrayed Jesus in NBC's 'A.D.: The Bible Continues,' Petros in the first 'Mamma Mia!' film, and he finished fifth on Season 27 of 'Dancing with the Stars.' The actor-turned-director makes his feature debut with 'Before We Forget,' a nostalgic, years-spanning story of queer first love. 7 Di Pace played Fernando, Kimmy Gibbler's on-again, off-again love, in 'Fuller House.' ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection 7 Di Pace portrayed Jesus in NBC's 'A.D.: The Bible Continues.' Joe Alblas/LightWorkers Media/NB Di Pace plays the older version of Matias, a filmmaker struggling to complete a movie inspired by his first love, Alexander, a Swedish boy he met at boarding school. Lear was lauded for his contributions to LGBTQ+ storytelling during the inaugural Pride LIVE! Hollywood festival last month. During a tribute panel featuring several of his former collaborators, 'Clean Slate' co-creator Dan Ewen described Lear as 'that rare magic that happens when a great humanist is also in charge of some s–t.' 7 Lear was recently celebrated for his contributions to LGBTQ+ storytelling. Getty Images 'What Norman never lost was the purest curiosity about mankind I've ever come across. 'What's next for mankind? What are the conversations mankind needs to have?'' Ewen said. 'And when someone like that is in a situation to have those conversations and convey those conversations in aggregate to a wonderful number of people, that's where magic happens.' 'Before We Forget' is set for theatrical release in New York on July 11, Los Angeles on July 18 and additional markets on July 25.
