Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Nowhere is a drama about a gay couple living in America on work visas. When one of their visa extensions is denied, they must find a way to stay in the country legally.
Sebastián (Juan Pablo Castiblanco) and Adrian (Miguel González) left Columbia to escape the restrictive social norms and the judgment of Adrian’s parents. They were able to secure American HB1 visas to work and stay in America, where they have built a life together. When Sebastián’s employer has a problem with his visa, he must find another way to stay in the country legally or move back to Columbia.
Although Sebastián is willing to move back to his native country, Adrian refuses to go back and risk coming out to his family, who may disown him. The only alternative is for Sebastián to find an American citizen to marry, which becomes much harder than either of them expected.
The Story:
Nowhere has a great premise and decent production values, but the acting has a lot to be desired and the story lacks tension because the stakes aren’t high enough. The only reason Adrian doesn’t want to go back is because he can’t come out to his parents. And since we never see what their life was like before moving to America, we don’t get a sense of how unacceptable it is to be LGBT in Columbia.
The film does a good job showing them as a loving and happy couple. It isn’t until Sebastián’s visa is denied that the truth about their relationship comes to light. This is also when it becomes clear that Adrian was the driving force behind them moving to America. And since we never get a sense of them facing persecution in Columbia, I spent most of it wishing Sebastián would wake up and leave Adrian.
The Final Verdict:
Nowhere is a drama that lacks tension, making it difficult to care about Sebastián and Adrian’s problems.