Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
In the Grayscale is a drama about a married man coming to terms with his bisexuality.
At the age of thirty-five, freelance architect Bruno (Francisco Celhay) is separated from his wife, Soledad (Daniela Ramírez) and son, Daniel (Matías Torres). While living alone, he struggles with his relationship with Daniel and expressing his need for solitude and introspection to Soledad.
When he’s hired to design an iconic structure for the city of Santiago, Chile, he’s paired with Fer (Emilio Edwards), a historian, to show him around the city to find inspiration. While Fer and Bruno spend time together, a romance blossoms between them that forces Bruno to confront the truth about who he is, and his place in the world.
Some Thoughts:
In the Grayscale is a slow-paced drama full of beautiful shots and reflection. Because of this, it takes a while to get off the ground. All of the characters are well-defined, so their motivations are never in question. This also helps when the drama unfolds, and secrets are revealed.
If you like your drama with highs and lows, this isn’t the film for you. The tone is low key and constant. The viewer discovers who Bruno is as he gradually realizes the nuances of his life and desires.
There’s plenty of chemistry between Celhay and Edwards, and Celhay and Ramírez to make the story believable. Bruno’s story about ignoring his sexual desire for men in his early years is relatable, even for those who aren’t bisexual. It also helps that the acting overall is good, and that director Claudio Marcone understands how to tell a story visually.
Although the film takes its time, there’s never a dull moment. While there’s plenty of drama, it never gets over the top or explosive. The revelation scenes are low key, yet honest. While this doesn’t leave the viewer with a highly dramatic conclusion, it’s still satisfying.
The Final Verdict:
In the Grayscale is a quiet drama about identity, self-acceptance, and forgiveness. It’s well acted and beautifully shot. It doesn’t have the emotional impact some expect from a drama, but it will leave you feeling something.
