José

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2:02

José

Released Jan 31, 2020

1h 25m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A 19-year-old's life in Guatemala City is routine and aimless, until he finds passion, pain and self-reflection through a relationship with a Caribbean migrant.

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Critics Consensus

José takes a sensitive yet clear-eyed look at a young man exploring his sexuality in a fraught cultural environment.

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Lisa Kennedy

Variety

"José" brings to light the promise of a director as compassionate as he is observant.

Feb 18, 2020

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's an evocative movie... The big problem I have is that José as a character is a bit of a blank.

Feb 15, 2020

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Godfrey Cheshire

RogerEbert.com

The satisfactions of "José" as a whole offers are considerable, and they begin with the human element.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 7, 2020

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Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

The direction is quiet yet striking in the way it captures the emotional bonds made throughout the film, particularly in its intimate scenes of passion between José and Luis.

Rated: 7/10

Jun 5, 2022

Full Review

Filipe Freitas

Always Good Movies

This portrayal of romantic disillusion still resonates with a good slice of honesty in defiance to an imperfect editing and some forgivable structural irregularities.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 4, 2021

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Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

José's familiar dilemma invites empathy through newcomer Enrique Salanic's complex, subtle performance.

May 14, 2020

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Edisson

The most bad movie I ever seen on my life . I feel like the stole my money i wish can got my money back

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/17/20

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Lito L Juarez

This movie shows you life for a gay in a third world country. Also it shows you that sometimes you only have one chance in life to go for it or forever regret it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/20

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Kevin

The movie takes gay liberation to the developing world where religious and political intolerance combined with poverty make sexual expression so difficult.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/20

Full Review

Peter K

Li Cheng has done it again . . .Brutally honest in capturing how difficult life can be when you are forced to accept the harsh reality of everyday life over your dreams.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

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brent m

This noble attempt at depicting the everyday difficulties faced by members of Guatemala's gay community seeks to tell a touching and often-frustrating story. However, the picture's episodic nature (especially in the second half) tends to meander so much that it loses a great deal of its cohesiveness. It's almost as if the film tries to check off items on a list of incidents to portray, with only a very loose thread stringing them together. The movie's beautiful cinematography, atmospheric score and fine performances by relative newcomers are all admirable, as is the picture's willingness to depict gay male sexuality realistically. But these noteworthy attributes aren't quite enough to save a film that fundamentally has trouble finding its way, a valiant effort that ultimately comes up short.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent film that captures life in Guatemala so authentically. The cinematography is beautiful. The dialogue is excellent, and and the acting is natural and organic. I especially loved the conversation Jose has with his grandmother. Well done on everyone's part.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

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Li Cheng

Director

Enrique Salanic

Jose

Manolo Herrera

Luis

Ana Cecilia Mota

Mom

Jhakelyn Waleska Gonzalez Gonzalez

Monica

Esteban Lopez Ramirez

Carlos

Sollers Point

85%

58%

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Jose: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A 19-year-old's life in Guatemala City is routine and aimless, until he finds passion, pain and self-reflection through a relationship with a Caribbean migrant.

Director: Li Cheng
Producer: Li Cheng, George F. Roberson
Screenwriter: Li Cheng, George F. Roberson
Distributor: Outsider Pictures
Production Co: YQstudio LLC
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 31, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.6K
Runtime: 1h 25m

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