by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
How little is too little of a genre to include in a film? Many films for over a hundred years have combined different genres with varying results. It is quite challenging to mix two genres together and make sure that they both feel paid off and effectively utilized. You can try injecting some horror elements into the film to give a little scare. You can utilize romance to add some extra stakes from a human perspective. Sometimes you can even get away with incorporating a genre to bring characters together. With We Are Living Things, director Antonio Tibaldi attempts just that.
At the heart of it, what is the main purpose of this film? Co-writers Tibaldi and Àlex Lora attempt to weave together a moving story about two immigrants coming together and developing a strong connection in love. One Chinese and one Mexican, they both come from the harder fringes of America where they are ostracized. But they venture together on a journey full of danger and mystery. There is a beauty to this story that shines through some of the darker elements, which makes this romantic drama work so well.
But what brings them together? Well… aliens. It is no surprise that these people are “aliens” themselves, as the film tries to tackle big themes including the nationalist perspective filled with bigotry and hate towards immigrants. But narratively, both of our leads have encountered beings from another planet. Solomon (Jorge Antonio Guerrero) believes his mother was abducted when he was a child, while Chuyao (Xingchen Lü) believes that she was as a child. This connection brings them together. Tibaldi subtly utilizes small teases to lights in the sky and other signs that something might be up there. In the end, this unlikely couple comes together to make contact.
But does this contact matter? Tibaldi seems more concerned about using this science fiction twist as a mechanism to expand the romance. There is a distinct lack of follow through and resolution on the alien side of things. This will probably make some feel unsatisfied. That is honestly true as the sci-fi elements come off feeling half-baked and an afterthought. This is a risk because if you don’t buy into the budding romance, then you will be left with little to salvage your viewing experience.
But what elements shine bright in We Are Living Things? Beautiful direction and cinematography go a long way. The pacing might be sluggish at times, but the framing of every shot and the lighting in every scene maximizes all the emotion and drama. The actors also pull their weight in delivering emotional and empathetic turns. Hopefully Guerrero and Lü get some recognition for their work.
Is this drama/romance/sci-fi flick worth your time? The romance and drama ride high at the expense of the actual sci-fi trappings. If that bothers you, then this film will probably leave you wanting more. But the two leads bring to life a beautiful connection that will have you feeling moved. Every shot, from the early urban decay up to the beauty of the desert at the end of their journey, delivers plenty of emotion. This one has enough to make it worth experiencing.
Score: 6/10
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