Moritz (Swiss German)

I loved this film. There is so much more to gay cinema than just petty repeatable themes. It is no nice, warm and refreshing to see something different that comes along the way and touches your heart completely. This film is a very good example of how you can have emotions, drama and a small touch of comedy and still make a film that talks to you and makes you think. It is not to say that the film did not have any flaws but despite everything, it made for a wonderful viewing.

Moritz’s mother is an epileptic who seems to be the only person taking care of the boy.She ignores the severe headaches, until one night she feels so bad that she has to go to the neighbors to ask them to keep an eye on Moritz. The neighbors are a gay couple Ralph and Andi who themselves are struggling in this small neighborhood. The two men are not entirely happy with this new responsibility as they are already having some relationship difficulties, one is under a lot of pressure due to a possible promotion at work and the other is missing city life. At first, they naturally try to find a relative the boy can stay with while his mother is in the hospital. They are able to locate his grandmother, but the boy hardly knows her and prefers to stay at his neighbors. This causes a lot of rumors in the neighborhood since “Two men and a little boy” – seems scandalous for some of the neighbors haunted by their own prejudices. At the same time, the village is preparing to meet the President of the Swiss Republic, and the grandmother of the boy insists that the boy be placed in a “decent “family. How does the mayor deal with this issue and the fact of why and to whom should the responsibility of Moritz go makes for some fun but at the same time thought provoking viewing. Finally, all is well since Moritz's mother has a successful surgery and he can now stay back with his mother.

The best part of the film is the humane story. It is so easy to relate with the story and be touched. The scenes that show how Moritz and the gay couple ultimately warm up to each other to the extent of getting used to each other makes your heart melt. Being gay myself and wanting a child, this just strikes the chord. It is a movie high on emotions but at the same time acted really well by everyone. It was also interesting to see how Ralph and Andi, though they have their own struggles but when it comes to safety and well being of Moritz they stick together. All the supporting characters have also acted really well. How I wish, US made more such meaningful gay films rather than churning out crap (most of the times).

Strongly recommended. (7.5/10)