High Tide

            Out in theaters now is an absolute gem of a film- director Marco Calvani’s High Tide. It stars Marco Pigossi as Lourenço, a gay Brazilian on a work permit in the country, living in Provincetown in the guest house of Scott, an older gay man who has lived in town for years (wonderfully played by Bill Irwin). It’s off season in Cape Cod and Lourenço dreads having to return to his devoutly religious town in Brazil where he lives with his mother. He also was dumped in the summer by a boyfriend who doesn’t return his calls or texts.

            After work, he bikes to Herring Cove beach where he swims nude in the ocean and lays out on the sand. One day he meets Maurice (James Bland) a handsome black nurse who is only there until the end of the week. Lourenço talks about his dilemma of staying in the country longer while Maurice is planning to travel to Angola. Maurice introduces him to his wild group of friends (including the wonderful Mya Taylor from Sean Baker’s Tangerine). They party, they fuck, they spend time together, all the while Lourenço is feeling the clock ticking on his immigration status. 

            Marco Pigossi gives a beautiful, heartfelt performance in the lead- his eyes radiate such longing and sadness. There is a scene when they all go to a party at the A-House and he finds out a devastating new fact about his old boyfriend. He quickly swallows some drugs and starts dancing wildly and when Maurice tells him he’s leaving the look of panic and despair in Lourenço’s eyes is heartbreaking.

            Marisa Tomei has a lovely cameo as an artist living in Truro, who Lourenço makes an emotional connection with, while painting the interior of her house. And Bryan Batt is particularly loathsome as a lawyer who Scott introduces to Lourenço to help him navigate his status. All he gets out of that is a lascivious hand on his knee. 

            But Marco Calvani gets the beauty and loneliness of Provincetown off season. Having lived there for ten years, year-round, in the 70s, the unique, other-worldly atmosphere of that place is palpable in the film. There are no melodramatic twists or easy answers which is also refreshing. But the film has haunted me since I saw it. I haven’t seen a movie that painted such an indelible, soulful portrait like that with such simplicity and beauty (the score and cinematography are both stunning). But with such aching tenderness too.