A review of Lucas Santa Ana’s film 300 SWEET WORDS (aka “300 letters” / “300cartas”), which plunges us into the heart of a particularly toxic gay breakup.
After the films Bromance and Diary of a Teenager, Argentine director Lucas Santa Ana takes us into a breakup film with the deceptive aesthetics of a colourful romantic comedy. You thought your ex was the worst person in the world? Just wait until you discover the ex in this film!
A brutal breakup told through 300 vitriolic letters
We follow the very handsome Jero (Cristian Mariani), a somewhat clichéd masculine gay man who spends his time doing crossfit with his equally masculine gay best friend when he is not cashing in on cryptocurrency. For some time now, Jero has been particularly happy: he forms a radiant couple with Tom (Gastón Frias), who is more or less his exact opposite. Tom is more artistic: he is a poet, moves in queer circles and embraces his fluid style. Jero runs their couple Instagram account, where he shares slices of their happy life. But behind this façade of happiness lie far more ambiguous things.
When he quietly returns home one afternoon, Jero finds that Tom is no longer there. Instead, he finds a box of letters. Tom tells him that he is breaking up with him, that it is all over, and that he is going to explain why. In the box, he has left around 300 letters that the man who is now his ex took the time to write. Each letter recounts a day in their relationship, a kind of logbook relating Tom’s states of mind in a decidedly biting way. Devastated, Jero discovers that, since their first meeting, Tom has never believed in their relationship: he has always despised him for representing the masculine gay cliché that he loathes, but which, paradoxically, irresistibly attracts him in private.
A quest for understanding after a painful romantic separation
For a moment, Jero considers throwing away all the letters rather than subjecting himself to 300 barbs delivered straight to his face. But vulnerable, still in love, and having not seen this separation coming at all, he needs to understand. He will ultimately spend days reading everything, working himself into a complete state. Was Tom ever in love with him, or did he mock him throughout their relationship? Supported by his attractive best friend Esteban (Bruno Giganti, seen in The Agitators by Marco Berger), Jero will try to understand…
A cruel sentimental film carried by an endearing and romantic character
The French title of the film is particularly cynical, because these 300 words left behind are anything but sweet words; instead, they have the effect of razor blades. Rarely have we felt so sorry for a character who has just been dumped: while we laugh heartily at the “crossfit gay” cliché embodied by Jero, we also, and above all, realise that he really is a good guy—sweet and romantic. Unlike Tom, who remains obsessed with labels and judgement, Jero is curious about others and can easily fall for someone who represents the opposite of himself.
A soft, summery aesthetic that contrasts with the emotional violence of the breakup
The film is paced by the reading of the letters and just as many flashbacks, which allow us to relive the relationship through its bright moments and the behind-the-scenes of Tom’s inner thoughts. These hurt more and more, gradually spoiling all of Jero’s memories. The extreme cruelty of this breakup, and of the film’s device, is counterbalanced by a soft, summery aesthetic and sexy filming.
Lucas Santa Ana explores tensions between artists and jocks in the gay community
Director Lucas Santa Ana drew inspiration from a personal breakup—his ex, who was an artist, broke up with him by immediately putting on a performance—to write this feature film with its surprising plot, which looks back at the divide in the gay community between artists and “jocks”. He pushed the sliders to the maximum, and actor Gastón Frias perfectly creates an increasingly detestable character. Conversely, the beauty and gentleness emanating from Cristian Mariani make us completely fall in love with the character of Jero, whom we want to comfort and pamper throughout.
Film produced in 2025 and available on DVD and VOD, as well as on the platform
Other films and series about gay romantic breakups to discover
–The Outs
–The Summer with Carmen
–Burning Heart
–In Turmoil
