Just Friends

This is a sweet and romantic love story between two young men in the Netherlands, from very different backgrounds. In some ways, it's like a gay Romeo & Juliette, but with a happy ending. Their relationship faces some prejudices from their families--but refreshingly, family homophobia is never really an issue. Both boys are out to their respective families, and for Joris his sexuality is completely incidental; while for Yad you get the feeling that it's mostly incidental (there might still be some lingering feelings of disappointment from his mother, but they're only partly tied to Yad's sexuality). Meanwhile, Joris's grandmother provides some comedic moments, along with a fair bit of wisdom. Each is quite attractive in his own very different way, and the two leads look well together. There are a couple of hot scenes, and some good eye-candy, but all very tastefully done and serving the story. My only criticism might be that Joris's mother seemed to be a rather two-dimensional character for much of the film, but by the end it had plumbed some depths with her, and there is a satisfying resolution to her mother-son conflict with Joris. A good story, with a happy ending that fits and doesn't feel tacked on just for the sake of a happy ending.

This was an amazing film with beautiful characters, hilarious dialogues and scenes, great character development, and uplifting story. I love the fact that the film did not incorporate the usual depressing theme orbiting the LGBTQ+ Community. I think normalizing unconventional gender roles or sexual orientations with this kind of vibe is helpful to the community. Also, I love the fact that the trope "the parents do not like the boyfriend" is included here - it's cute! The storyline is not something new but the fact that it's used in this genre is very positive and refreshing! Finally, I love the characters and character development! I mean, how funny is this movie? even that final urn-scene the mother was absolutely hilarious to me. P.S. I love the Granny.

This film sat in my "To Watch" list for over a year before I finally got around to watching it and I found this film to be a real gem. I thought it was going to be your typical gay romance film but it was so much more. The film cast a wide net drawing in themes and characters outside of the main couple that has made this film so endearing. Yes, there were subtitles but I don't mind reading if the film is worth it and this was easily worth stopping to pay attention. I think everyone wants to find a love like this that is pure, affirming, and beautiful whether straight, gay, bi, or whatever. And that it touched on other parts of life in both character's lives outside and in spite of the love story makes the film even better. There are no big or bombastic events, just the small stuff of life as people try to find and love the people in their life. I highly recommend this film. It's simply beautiful.

It's a really sweet and endearing romantic movie, where the characters are well etched. Not to mention they are gorgeous as well! The romance is portrayed beautifully, making you smile and want to fall in love all over again. Joris' story is certainly developed a bit more, and is given some sort of closure towards the end. Yad's character seemed a bit underdeveloped. The main gripe for me was the conflict between Joris and Yad, which came suddenly, and seemed contrived and forced. They did not even address the issues clearly (Joris and Yad to each other, and the filmmaker to the viewers), let alone trying to resolve it. One could argue they are young and impulsive, but it seemed Yad have had relationships before, so he wasn't really novice in this department. I am also curious about something that I couldn't understand fully. Did Joris' mother fancy him? Perhaps she saw reflection of her (late) husband in her son. But it certainly felt like that. Also, it could a culturally different thing for me, but is it okay to be almost naked in front of your mother as a grown up man? I get that he went fully naked at the end in frustration, sensing the feeling, but it was still weird for me to see that. I guess nudity is looked at differently in Europe, which I think is actually a good thing. Okay, enough said. All in all, it is a really enjoyable, well shot, and well acted film. And it is such a breath of fresh air in the world of "gay cinema" where we are served mostly crap.

I generally do not watch foreign language films, not because I hate them, but because oftentimes I am doing something while also "watching" movies. So I might be working or cleaning while a movie plays in the background. I can't exactly stop to read subtitles. haha. But Dutch movies are so rare and gay Dutch movies seem rarer. This movie was delightful. It was light and airy with just enough seriousness to give an emotional edge and make the characters more rounded. I loved listening to the characters speaking Dutch. I loved seeing Yad and the black girl at the work agency speaking Dutch because they not the typical Dutch person. It makes the culture seems have more depth and meaning to an outsider, but also speaks to the power of acculturation (vs. assimilation). The process isn't complete because I believe The Netherlands is just now really seeing an influx of non-white immigrants like Arabs. Yad's family seems to retain their Syrian identity and adds Dutch identity. But Joris' family still seems Dutch without influence from other cultures. Though there were moments that might challenge that. Towards the end, Joris' mother seems to not only accept Yad, but also accepts him as a full human being. Though the movie only deals with Islam tangentially, which was a little sad. I wanted to see some perspective on how the Dutch imagines this religion, even though Yad is seemingly Christian. I want more like this! NOW! LOL

Mooi verhaal dat verschillende aspecten van het LGBTQI-thema belichten. Positieve boodschap en vooral veel liefde!

Il titolo competo è "Just Friends with Benefits". Parla di una amicizia tra due ragazzi che di fatto è una relazione sessuale. E' in inglese.

Le dí 5 estrellas no porque sea una "Gran" película... si no, porque se aparta de las frustrantes historias trágicas que han plagado el género en décadas... Recomendable si quieres pasar un rato agradable :)

On y traite de beaucoup de sujets très sérieux avec beaucoup de justesse. Deuil d'un père qu'on a tant aimé et qui nous manque terriblement, d'un mari avec qui on avait des "unfinish business" lorsqu'il est décédé, respect de l'orientation sexuelle de leurs enfants par les parents, deuils d'animaux de compagnie qui nous ont été très cher. Mais tout au long de ce film on ne cesse de sourire et même parfois de rire sans que cela n'affecte le sérieux du propos. Humour décapant aussi d'une vieille grand-mère qui a du faire face au deuil le plus difficile peut-être celui de voir disparaître amis et parents dans cette horrible guerre étant enfant, terrorisé par la peur des soldats ennemis. Il faut ajouter qu'ils sont beaux les gars :-) et belle cette hollande réputée pour ses moulins à vent et qui s'est convertie aux grandes éoliennes majestueuses qui parsèment son territoire!

80 year old grandma is the real hero of this story, bringing these two boys together despite their mothers being less encouraging. SPOILER ALERT: This movie goes against the norm for this genre and the couple doesn't end up going separate ways. This for me was satisfying, as I'm a sucker for happy endings. Not a perfect flick, but fun just the same for a lazy Sunday afternoon.