The second instalment of Through My Window, the Spanish young adult romance based on Ariana Godoy’s book, is a film that goes one step beyond its original. The unnecessary amount of titillation (we get it: teenagers = raging hormones = sex) from the first part is perhaps reduced, ever so slightly, for the follow-up, paving the way for more exploration of the complicated. Marçal Forés delves deeper into the intricate nature of first love, friendship and attraction. Her primary characters remain fairly rounded, with new men and women being added to the mix. Clara Galle continues to impress as the precocious Raquel, while the same can’t be said of Julio Peña’s Ares. He has one stock expression of mild melancholy throughout. What the viewer would have preferred is a range of emotive abilities, like the rest of the cast, but sadly, that is not to be. It is understood that he is going through an internal crisis with his move to Stockholm (for medical school), questioning his choice time and again, and struggling with the fact that he is away from Raquel. But more is required from an acting standpoint. Raquel, on the other hand, seems to be blossoming into the writer she was always meant to be. At university, however, her professor isn’t pleased. “I expect my best writers to be my best students,” she says, alluding to the fact that Raquel’s mind is forever distracted. She is on her phone for the most part, either sending texts to Ares or responding to him. The long distance is clearly taking its toll.
Director – Marçal Forés
Cast – Clara Galle, Julio Peña, Hugo Arbues, Guillermo Lasheras, Natalia Azahara, Hugo Arbues, Eric Masip, Emilia Lazo, Andrea Chaparro, Carla Tous
Streaming On – Netflix
Back in Spain, Raquel is surrounded by her old crew – Yoshi (Guillermo Lasheras) and Daniela (Natalia Azahara). The former, still very much hung up on her, and the latter, never shy of a word on all things sex, are Raquel’s anchors. Yoshi isn’t able to let anyone into his life because of his unresolved feelings. Daniela is committed to Apolo Hidalgo (Hugo Arbues), Ares’ youngest brother, but wishes to experiment when the opportunity presents itself. When the celebrations of San Juan come knocking, Raquel must make a choice whether to attend or not. Daniela impresses upon her friend to have fun. “Who knows what Ares is up to in Stockholm?” is her rationale.
Despite its somewhat cliched approach to teenage romantic ideals, the sequel succeeds with the depth accorded to many of its characters. They’re not all just there to have a good time. I mean, sure they are, but there’s more to it than merely the physical. The constant confrontation of intense feelings is a major part of it. Part 2 also moves the focus away from Raquel and Ares to train a spotlight on the supporting players and their respective journeys. Yoshi is being sought after by Anna (Carla Tous). She doesn’t hide her attraction nor does she mince words. She makes this very clear in an improvised game called Truth or Kiss. But he is too hung up on Raquel to let her in. “How many people have you passed up?” she asks, rightfully questioning his inability to move on from a dead-end. Artemis (Eric Masip), the oldest of the Hidalgo siblings, cannot make his relationship with Claudia (Emilia Lazo) public. Ever since the events of the first film, their bond is fraught with complication; the latter works as the housekeeper in their extremely wealthy home. It is an open secret but the parents haven’t an inkling. Claudia expects him to acknowledge her as his girlfriend in front of his entitled family. What she is asking for is basic dignity and respect, something he wants to provide deep down, but lacks the courage to do so. These aforementioned scenes are the best on offer.
A maze of complicated emotions surrounding love and betrayal is explored through multiple character arcs. It is interesting that while the leads are dealing with their own issues, we get to see what the others are grappling with as well. It is only fair for Raquel to be sketched with the ability to question everything (thanks to her skill set), but one has to ask if this was indeed overdone? Could someone be that evolved, at say, twenty? It’s a difficult question to answer, really…her character could have been presented in the said manner to draw a distinction between her and the rest. More work was needed for Ares’ development. The introduction of the Vera (Andrea Chaparro) angle from medical school is an expected trope, fair enough, but his perpetual sulking isn’t enough to cut it when it comes to examining his guilt and pain.
Due to its laundry list of new characters and their fractured brushes with love and sex, Through My Window: Across the Sea, goes as far as to outdo its predecessor. A surprising twist and the film’s open-ended nature work heavily in its favour. It is a hope that Part 3 doesn’t ruin what 1 and 2 have built so far. Although the film is far from perfect, it touches upon something so fundamental about young love and the unexplained tugs of the human heart.
#sequel #young #love #Cinema #express
