A New York Times travel writer comes to Tel Aviv after suffering a tragedy. The energy of the city and his relationship with a younger man brings him back to life.
Sublet (2020)
agua agridulce (original title)
Imdb user
My Review – Sublet My Rating 8/10 It’s so encouraging to me to see films today that sensitively depict contemporary GLBTQI issues like same sex families with children or same sex marriage would never even be discussed when I “came out” over 50 years ago . Most importantly films like “Sublet “that I think have a broad appeal to any open minded film audience that appreciates quality scripts acting and direction in their movies were rarely made.
Sublet is a 2020 Israeli-American drama film, directed by Eytan Fox, from a screenplay by Fox and Itay Segal. It stars John Benjamin Hickey and Niv Nissim.
Michael (John Benjamin Hickey) is a 50ish travel writer for The New York Times, travelling to Tel Aviv for work. He is a former bestselling author, having written a book about New York City during the peak of the AIDS crisis, in which he lost a good friend to the disease.
Instead of staying at a hotel, Michael meets Tomer (Niv Nissim), a younger and very handsome film student in need of some extra money, and sublets his apartment in a popular neighbourhood. The two gay men face a generational gap that puts their personal and clashing life philosophies into perspective.
Michael and his husband back home David (Peter Spears) recently lost their newborn child after going through the IVF program.
When David calls Michael from home it’s obvious that there’s tension in their longterm relationship especially when David wants the couple to try IVF again and Michael really has decided no not again.
Tomer seems drawn to Michael’s quiet charm and intelligence Michael is obviously physically attracted to handsome Tomer . He asks Tomer to be his guide for the few days he’s spending in Tel Aviv .
Their genuine affection builds as they compare their life values and experience and the script by Eytan Fox and Itay Segal flows naturally and honestly.
There’s a beautiful dinner scene when Tomer takes Michael home to meet his mother and the discussion of raising children comes into the conversation prompting Michael to reevaluate the recent decisions he has made.
There’s a real charm and honesty to this movie it’s a pleasure to watch for so many aspects see it if you can.
