Release Date – TBC, Cert – TBC, Run-time – 1 hour 20 minutes, Director – Yoel Morales
Stoner Bionico (Manuel Raposo) is followed by a camera crew as he attempts to get sober by the time his girlfriend (Ana Minier) leaves rehab, however he’s met with a strong current of temptations, including from best friend Calvita (El Napo).
Bionico’s Bachata is a film that has a great deal in common with its titular figure. Manuel Raposo’s character is a likable figure, trying to do his best and get better but constantly being hampered by those around him. We know exactly what the film wants us to think of him with the introductory description of “among the useless they were looking for the least damaged”. Bionico is determined to get sober by the time his girlfriend La Flaca (Ana Minier) gets out of rehab – although whether the relationship is now one-sided crops up every now and then. However, after many years of drugs he’s surrounded by dealers and takers, including best friend Calvita (El Napo) who while supporting his friend’s decision is still very much pro-drugs at any time of day or night.
Calvita is a loud, loud character. Bursting into scenes and sentences with a style which hampers the film under the character’s simply annoying nature. When properly supporting Bionico Calvita comes across as a slightly calmer character, and even when moved slightly to the background as the film develops and moves towards its closing stages. This may mean that a good deal of the intended humour falters, largely as Calvita appears to be intended as the biggest source of comic-relief within this comedic mockumentary. Yet, where the occasional chuckles come through are in more clearly cut moments where there’s something of a build-up or generally more rounded sense to the joke which belongs in the moment rather than a near in-the-moment interference or a dance which leaves an uncertainty as to the response it’s meant to get.
Undoubtedly, the film is helped by its short 80-minute run-time. It moves along well enough, despite some bumps, but much like the central figure there’s a likable nature to it, particularly when focusing on Bionico’s journey and actual attempts to get sober – “you can’t mix love and crack” is a phrase which begins to echo in his mind. There’s a confliction to some scenes depicting this, some good and fitting in well and others from my mind as I wasn’t entirely sure of the style of a certain moment as the film once again goes in a big musical montage of inebriation. However, as Bionico comes closer to being reunited with La Flaca, for most of the film all we see of them together are brief TikTok videos from before she went to rehab, things almost feel properly settled with a more direct sense. As if with the aim closer in sight the film knows where it wants to go and how it wants to do it.
Building up to this point with enough amusement to hold light engagement this might be an occasionally jumbled film, but it has enough present to find something to like amongst that jumble. Much of it connects to the central character who sticks out from his surroundings as a generally calmer individual, and one wanting to change whilst being drawn back in by the people and recognisable environment which surrounds him. The seriousness isn’t too-often shown as the film sets out to be a comedy, although there are one or two dramatic beats in the later stages, and not all the humour works largely due to loud supporting characters, much as is the case for Bionico’s life it seems. Things move along with occasional sketch-like form and while the film as a whole might not be anything memorable there’s still enough to hold amusement and engagement for the duration of the short run-time.
Like its lead character, Bionico’s Bachata is likable but held back by a loud supporting character holding back much of the humour. The film remains watchable and passes by well enough, if not always going as in-depth as it might like, working best when shaped and directed towards the central character’s aim.
Just A Little Bit Random 