This is a Philippine film directed by first-time director, Auraeus Solito. It weaves the story of a ladyboy named Maxi (a very good Nathan Lopez) with his family's life of petty crime in Manila. Maxi shares his home with Paca, his dad (played by Soliman Cruz) and his two older brothers, the always moody Boy (Neil Ryan Sese) and always manic Bogs (Ping Medina). Maxi is mother to the older men who spend their day placing bets and stealing then selling cell phones. When a new cop on the block Victor (VR Valentin) arrives to rescue Maxi from a thrashing, the stories collide. Maxi, who everyone accepts as a girl in boy's clothing, is instantly infatuated. However, Victor is a cop and when Boy ends up killing a student, Maxi is faced with having to support his family or his 'love'; with some mellow-dramatic - if tragic - consequences. The Blossoming of Maximo is filmed in a gritty, in-the-moment style that works despite the occasional problems director Solito has with lighting, and flow, and while the story is here and there (I suspect more a problem with the subtitles then the acting), it is oddly refreshing to see a gay lad portrayed with such honesty.
My rating 7 out of 10.
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