Come As You Are

In most cases, I am satisfied with Belgian movies, and this film is no exception. Hasta la vista! is a very well executed drama, which is also a comedy and a road movie about three friends for whom their trip presents an important step in their lives. I really liked that the film itself doesn’t make a fool of anyone. You get to see three incredibly likeable characters, for whom you’ll root with all you’ve got. Even a seemingly unpleasant driver will eventually turn out to be a really nice character. I have to say that a lot of positive emotions came out of the film, and even though you know how it will end, the film is still very beautiful to watch. (24/12/2012)

Solid work. Wheelchair American Pie in a very cultivated spirit and with lots of unpleasant undertones and a minimum of begging for compassion for the handicapped. It's a shame about the working editing and the irritating slipping to a sentimental road movie, but given how it's predictable, it actually maintains an admirable decor. Undoubtedly, more could be garnered from this - mainly from the excellently-acted characters, who are dominated by the supremely unsympathetic antisocial, domineering and brat-like Philip. (21/09/2012)

American Pie done a little differently. Instead of a group of horny young men, you have a group of three horny handicapped young men. Although it could be seen as an unnecessarily dramatic change, it was handled very well. The handicap is depicted as a certain obstacle, but also as something one can live with, and ultimately maybe even achieve the desired outcome for the first time. (01/04/2017)

The opening credits scene was so disgustingly sexist that it would have made more than one feminist fanatic chew her mustache with rage. Sure, this was no Intouchables, the film was afflicted with various clichés and pathos, but not enough to make me fast forward in disgust. I did enjoy this strange road trip to the end. For a child actor, Kimke Desart gave a really good and convincing performance. (01/10/2021)

It is understandable that upon closer inspection, a few flaws in the beauty of the film can also be found. But this time, I won't be nitpicking. If a recent emotional extortionist of the worst kind really infuriated me, the creators of this bitter comedy about the life of a physically disabled person with a view of the cemetery took it in the right direction. With life, one needs to deal with issues, and when (as long as) it is possible, also enjoy it as much as possible. Come As You Are skillfully works with elements of tragedy, black humor, absurdity, and the calmness of the road movie genre. The journey of three physically disabled friends in search of their first and possibly last sexual experience could have been made in Hollywood as an emotionally manipulative sentimental lament, but luckily, Geoffrey Enthoven took a different path and is always ready to dismiss a heated scene with detachment or sarcastic wit. Conversely, whenever it seems that the film is becoming too comedic or derailing, it sensitively reminds us of how things really are and freezes the smile on our faces. Overall impression: 90%. (03/10/2015)