The Way He Looks Movie: This Sundance Winner Still Breaks Hearts 14 Years Later

Daniel Ribeiro’s The Way He Looks introduces us to Leonardo, a teenage boy who happens to be blind but refuses to let that define his dreams. The Brazilian film stars Ghilherme Lobo, Fabio Audi, and Tess Amorim in what becomes a refreshing take on young love.

What struck me most was how this isn’t really about blindness at all. It’s about that awkward phase where friendship gets complicated and hearts start racing for reasons you can’t quite understand yet.

A Simple Story Done Right

Leo wants out. His mom hovers, classmates stare, and he’s ready to pack his bags for an exchange program abroad. His best friend Giovana thinks he’s crazy for wanting to leave everything behind.

Then Gabriel walks into their classroom. Suddenly Leo’s carefully laid plans don’t seem so important anymore. I loved watching how one person can completely shift your entire world without even trying.

Real People, Real Feelings

Ghilherme Lobo never plays Leonardo as a victim or inspiration. He’s just a regular teenager who gets frustrated, excited, and confused like everyone else. His blindness shapes his experience but doesn’t consume it.

The friendship between all three characters feels lived-in and messy. Tess Amorim perfectly captures that jealousy when your best friend starts paying attention to someone else. I’ve been Giovana before – it’s not pretty but it’s honest.

Direction With Heart

Ribeiro knows when to step back and let moments breathe. The camera often focuses on hands touching, conversations in hallways, and small gestures that say more than grand speeches ever could.

I appreciated how the film shows Leonardo’s daily life without making it educational or preachy. We see him navigate spaces, interact with family, and handle social situations naturally.

Why It Connects

This movie gets teenage emotions right. The confusion when friendship might be becoming something else, the fear of being different, the desperate need for independence – it’s all here.

The LGBTQ+ elements feel organic rather than forced. Leo’s journey toward understanding his feelings happens gradually, which mirrors how most people actually figure themselves out in real life.

Minor Stumbles

The middle section drags slightly. Some family dynamics could have been explored deeper, particularly Leonardo’s relationship with his father who remains somewhat distant throughout.

I wished we’d learned more about Gabriel’s background. While his arrival drives the plot forward, his character sometimes feels more like a catalyst than a fully formed person.

What Critics Said

Rotten Tomatoes gave it 93% approval while IMDb users rated it 7.9/10. Critics called it compassionate and emotionally detailed, praising its authentic approach to coming-of-age storytelling.

Roger Ebert’s team noted the film leaves audiences glad they spent time with these characters. The consensus seems to be that it succeeds where many similar films fail by avoiding manipulation.

Worth Your Time

The Way He Looks reminds you why small, personal stories can pack such emotional punch. It doesn’t try to change the world or deliver big messages about disability or sexuality.

Instead, it simply shows three teenagers figuring out life, love, and friendship. Sometimes that’s exactly what we need – stories that feel real and characters who could live next door.

Rating: 4/5