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Amos Lassen wrote on 02/11/2011:

“Contadora is for Lovers”
Under the Island Sun
Amos Lassen
A newly engaged couple go to island of Contadora on vacation and from the moment that they meet their sexy Latin host who happens to be gay, we can see that “Contadora is for Lovers” (Culture Q Connection) is going to be an adventure. New feelings arise as the Latin accompanies the couple on their adventure. Beautiful cinematography makes this a visually beautiful film and what is lacking in plot is made up for by the beautiful scenery. The idea of a love triangle is certainly not a new one but here the cast is great and overall we get a very satisfying movie.
The move is exotic and the Latin feel to it is pervasive. As Sago/Santiago (Vincent DePaul) comes to grips with the struggle of feelings that he shares with his fiancée (Renee Pietrangelo) and his Panamanian host (Tony Sago), we get a man who is emotionally conflicted and distraught. His reaction to his condition reflects the inner truth he feels and his acting came across so naturally that it was if I were watching a man face his feelings as I looked at him. Raw behavior flashes across the screen throughout the movie. In fact, all three actors existed in the moment that they experienced their journey. And we, in turn, feel for the actors.
In addition to being good movie, it is a wonderful travelogue for Contadora—a place I had never heard of—a beautiful island off of the coast of Panama. The simple story is simply fun and beautiful to watch and Gabriel (the host) is the object of empathy. His plight of not only being single and the fact that he can’t seem to find anyone make him perfect for the object of our feelings. It seems he has had a past of becoming involved with those who are not available to him. He ignores good judgment and common sense and ends up in situations that he himself has caused. And watching Gabriel makes each of us realize that we are creatures of habit.
I have read reviews that compare this to a home movie. I wonder how anyone could possibly ignore the wonderful cast and photography. Sure, the plot is simple but it is also simply a beautiful love story. Sure there is not a lot of dialog and not a lot happens but it is presented so beautifully that I could not help but be moved by it. A great movie it is not, a satisfying one it is.

WriterBear wrote on 10/11/2009:

I wanted to like this film. The three leads are all nice to look at, the packaging is slick and professional, the comparisons to Threesome and Summer Lovers piqued my curiosity. In reality, the comparisons begin and end with the fact that the "plot" involves a menage a trois. The camera work (certainly not to be called cinematography) is amateurish, the lighting and especially the sound are disasters and the acting is, well, wooden.

The story revolves around the infatuation of a handsome gay tour guide with a young vacationing couple, especially the man. Hmmm... gay guy manipulates straight guy into having sex with him... where have we seen that before? This story could have been told with some fresh perspectives -- the elements are all there. But you won't find any originality (or expertise) here. The Panamanian backgrounds are pretty to look at, even when poorly filmed. But they aren't worth the price of the DVD, even on sale. Save your money. There is plenty of technically proficient and genuinely entertaining film to be found here on TLA.

Andrew wrote on 07/11/2007:

From the very opening sequences you can tell this is worse that a "B" grade movie - more like an F! The cameral work is clumsy, the sound terrible (was it shot on a home camcorder?). At one point shoddy editing means you hear the same lines twice - in different locations that follow each other. The acting goes from almost wooden to slightly deranged, truly the worst combination of psychobable meeting cliches. But, if you find a truly awful movie can provide some laughs and groans, get it!! It is so terrible it's funny.

blackienz wrote on 02/26/2007:

This film is so amateurish and predictable its laughable. Scripting and storyline is poor - nay banal - to say the very least, and sound quality is worse. Acting is awful!
I started to watch - in anticipation I must admit - but by the second scene I had put my DVD player on fast speed just in case there were some good shots ( and there were one or two) then put it away - you can be sure this is a dvd that wont see the light of day again as far as I am concerned!

Adam Lowenstein wrote on 11/05/2006:

I just saw the trailer - if the movie is anything like the trailer I can hardly wait!! The cinematography is almost as beautiful as the cast! What a great story!

AL