A Skeleton in the Closet [Todos tenemos un muerto en el placard o un hijo en el clóset] *** (2020, Facundo Gambandé, María Fernanda Callejón, Diego De Paula) – Classic Movie Review 13,229

The entertaining and appealing 2020 Argentine comedy drama film A Skeleton in the Closet stars Facundo Gambandé as the sensitive, gay prodigal son Manu, who returns home from his big city life for a family gathering, looking for his parents’ approval.

Director Nicolás Teté’s entertaining and appealing 2020 Argentine comedy drama film A Skeleton in the Closet stars Facundo Gambandé as the sensitive, gay prodigal son Manuel/ Manu, who has previously at Christmas come out to his parents who weren’t happy about it but apparently still love him.

The son returns home from his big city life in Buenos Aires for a 25th anniversary gathering at the family house three days earlier than expected to fight for his parents’ full and proper affirmation and approval, but the welcome is oddly restrained and the atmosphere is weirdly strained. The parents aren’t interested in news of Manu’s live-in boyfriend Maximo (Ramiro Delgado). There’s a lot of chaos and confusion in the house, and Manu takes to the bathroom for a bit of peace and quiet, only then to learn via a Skpe call with his partner that he is dumping him. He’s rejected, abandoned and quietly devastated.

Manu is the oldest of four siblings. His sister is a friendly confidante, his annoying 14-year-old youngest brother keeps calling him a fag, and then the sporty younger brother arrives from Spain. Then Manu hooks up with his old teacher, seven years after graduating school, and they start a thing. Manu gets quickly attached and dependent. Meanwhile, Manu is desperate to intervene when he discovers his younger brother has made his ex-girlfriend pregnant and their idiot parents won’t tell him and instead are supporting the girl financially.

A Skeleton in the Closet is a complex film, with emotions swirling about erratically all over the place, and real-seeming characters with contradictory moods and feelings challenging the probably way-too-nice and sensible hero till his brain hurts. But there is hope, and a message. If you keep calm and carry on, it is all going to be alright. Talk it over, talk it through, all will be well. Nicolás Teté is an optimist, looking on the bright side.

This is a thoroughly likeable, engaging film. There’s a sentimental ending that is not entirely convincing to contend with, but most of the rest of the film is bright and believable. Manu is the brightest bulb in the box, which is lucky because he has one heck of a crazy family. Manu’s mother is a bit of a kindly flake, and his dad is a bit of a simple idiot. But, at heart, they are as well meaning as anything.

Manu’s main battle is against rejection, which he faces repeatedly. He’s so looking for love, respect and validation that everyone seems to want to respond by denying him these very things he seeks and needs. Winning this battle is going to be hard and exhausting, but if he can win, it’s a win-win situation, and he can open up and free the minds and lives of all his family (well maybe not the homophobic grandmother). The gay sensitive one turns out to be the alpha male! Wow!

They found the right actor in Facundo Gambandé as Manu. There are so many characters in the film and most of them have quite a bit to do, but Gambandé is the whole show, carrying it along sweetly, and after all the early-twenties angst, eventually cheerfully and joyfully.

Nicolás Teté is also the director of What We Wrote Together (2024).

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,229

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