In director Alejandro Andrade Pease’s drama Hombres Íntegros (Fine Young Men), a student named Alf (Andres Revo) from a wealthy family has just returned to his Catholic boys school in Mexico after a year at another religious boarding school in Oakland, CA. He finds that his school and friends are not the same as when he left. They have moved on from being precocious teens to focusing on girls and booze. Parties are now the social hub. They welcome him home with a huge blowout drunken party. Alf is not quite ready to dive into the rhythm of this aggressively macho adult life, and is reluctant at first.
While he’s re-acclimating to the school, he happens upon a musician, a younger boy named Oliver (Joaquín Emanuel). They have instant chemistry and it’s clear that while they will be friends, there’s also sexual tension between them as well. Alf spends a great deal of time playing music and getting high with Oliver and his cousin Diana (Arianna Hermosilla).
As Alf’s friends become aware of Oliver, they begin teasing Alf and using pejorative homophobic slurs for Oliver. Alf is deeply conflicted over this. This social fabric has defined his life, but his true desires are for Oliver. He pushes back on this part of himself, going headlong into the booze and party scene… until one night it all goes wrong. The abuses of entitled men and a life-altering outburst results in horrific tragedy.
“… Alf has just returned to his Catholic boys school in Mexico after a year away…”
What follows paints a damning picture of toxic masculinity, homophobia, and the mind-numbing power of financial privilege. Alf’s father is a high ranking, ambitious, politician, and he steps in with money and influence, more to save his own career than to be of any help to anyone else.
It is quickly made clear to the viewer that the school and students are from the upper class financial strata. They are shockingly casual about their excesses. The boys see women as just another perk they are entitled to. The machismo of Latino culture is legendary, but Pease makes it personal here ,as those involved in this situation who have lived comfortable, easy lives are suddenly thrown into the deep, cold waters of adult reality far too soon.
The sterling production value of the film is matched and exceeded only by the performances, most notably by Andres Revo as Alf. He arrives a cheerful young man, and as the weight of his circumstances gradually begins crushing him, he remains stoic, but conveys his torment on his face and in the way he moves. The rest of the cast meets Revo’s level of work to bring out an authentic, realistic story. The cinematography is breathtaking, featuring sun-dappled mist gliding over beautiful mountains. The serene views are a jolting counterpoint to the drama unfolding at ground level.
There are several fascinating threads moving through this narrative. From the culture of a Catholic boys school in Mexico, to the treatment of women in that culture, to the impact of the church on their lives, there is a dizzying melange of challenges and ideas and Pease navigates all of them in a delicate balance. He never loses sight of his throughline, but also doesn’t shortchange any of the other issues. The rhythm of the film is almost operatic.
One walks away from the story wondering if events could realistically happen this way, and then after a moment’s reflection, realizing that it already has happened, and will again. Upsetting and powerful, Hombres Íntegros is a disturbing tragedy around machismo, misogyny, and homophobia.
"…a disturbing tragedy around machismo, misogyny, and homophobia."
