Los Amantes Astronautas (Spanish) [The Astronaut Lovers]

Once again, I found myself watching a film by Marco Berger without realizing he was the director. The amusing part? Throughout the movie, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the filmmaker was heavily influenced by Marco, as it felt so much like his style. It wasn’t until the credits rolled and I saw “Film by Marco Berger” that I chuckled and laughed out loud. Clearly, I’ve figured out what he enjoys directing: films brimming with intense sexual tension, and let me tell you, he excels at it.

The story revolves around Pedro, who is openly gay, and Maxi, who is straight and contentedly single. They embark on a close friendship, pretending to be a couple during a summer by the sea. This scenario is packed with explicit conversations about sex and even draws amusing parallels to being an astronaut in space, leaving viewers feeling quite aroused by the end.

Pedro heads back to Buenos Aires to spend a holiday with his cousin and a group of friends, including Maxi, whom he hasn’t seen since school. As they reconnect, a flirty vibe develops between Pedro and the recently single, straight Maxi, and their friends can’t help but notice the spark between them. Maxi, with no filter whatsoever, bombards Pedro with playful, sexually charged questions, which Pedro happily engages with. These cheeky conversations happen daily, creating a sense of naughtiness for the audience.

After a party, Maxi loses a bet to Pedro, and as a consequence, he must tell their friends that they’re a couple for the last three days of their trip. To their surprise, everyone is not only supportive but also encouraging of their little charade. The question remains: how will this all play out for the two? Pedro is clearly attracted to the handsome Maxi and enjoys flirting, but he’s careful to maintain a boundary between their heated exchanges and anything more. Meanwhile, Maxi seems to relish this game of sexual tension, but is he merely teasing, or is there something deeper brewing?

Beyond the classic “will they/won’t they” dynamic typical of Berger’s films, this one delves into the modern landscape of sexuality, challenging the notion that it’s simply gay or straight. In a series of chats on the beach, in cars, and while strolling, the two engage in a constant back-and-forth filled with innuendo. Their minds are consumed with sexual thoughts, reminiscent of eager teenagers. The film’s title cleverly ties into a recurring metaphor about sex and outer space, though it occasionally feels a bit overdone (think phallic rockets and “milky” ways). However, the warmth between the two actors saves it.

This film is essentially a hangout movie, characterized by one long, intense, sexy conversation spread over three days. Even when scenes build toward a climax, Berger skillfully avoids wrapping things up with a neat conclusion, leaving viewers with a lingering question mark. The undeniable sexual chemistry between the two men is explored through rapid-fire banter filled with puns, movie references, and a plethora of dick jokes—seriously, there are so many! Maxi’s humor is often centered around these jokes, and Pedro finds them both funny and enticing.

What’s surprising is how their light-hearted exchanges quickly morph into deeper discussions about gay sex, desire, and the urge to touch each other. On the flip side, the prolonged sexual flirting could benefit from tighter editing, as it tends to drag on. Additionally, it struck me as odd that, in a group setting meant for summer fun, we mostly see just these two hanging out, with few scenes featuring the entire group.

The film heavily relies on the magnetic performances of its lead actors. They form an instantly likable duo, quickly gaining the audience’s trust and support, delivering outstanding performances. The palpable sensuality and tension are truly something to experience. This film fits seamlessly into the brilliant storytelling Berger is known for. Unfortunately, the version I watched had some poor subtitling, making it tough to catch some of the hidden jokes, but I still cherished the experience immensely.