Review of Lucas Santa Ana’s film The Party Poopers (Blue Lights). An older gay couple welcomes friends for an emotion-filled dinner.
A queer, generational chamber piece by Lucas Santa Ana
This Argentinian feature film invites us into the home of Alejandro (Ernesto Larrese) and Pedro (Claudio Da Passano), an older gay couple. Alejandro is celebrating his 70th birthday, and for the occasion, the couple invites all their friends to dinner. Joining them are the young, handsome gay couple Fabián (Fernando Dente) and Miguel (Nicolás Di Pace); the lesbian couple Marita (Karina Hernandez) and Jimena (Natalia Morlacci); the gay bear couple Edgardo (avier Rodriguez Cano) and Pablo (Hernán Morán); the heterosexual couple Ricardo (Edgardo Moreira) and Mabel (Estella Garelli); and, later, Germán (Osmar Núñez).
The Party Poopers explores ageing, couples and existential fears
We follow this dinner almost in real time, immersing ourselves in this group of friends as each person’s personality and dilemmas gradually emerge. The large cast makes it possible to address many subjects: ageing; the fear of no longer having many beautiful moments ahead, or of having missed something in one’s youth; the fear of abandonment; the constant search for thrills; the question of fidelity within a couple; same-sex parenthood; HIV… Between confidences, confrontations and moments of truth, the evening is intense.
Why the film goes beyond a simple bourgeois ensemble drama
At first glance, it looks like another bourgeois ensemble film of the kind we have seen dozens and dozens of times, especially in France. But Lucas Santa Ana stands out from the crowd. In addition to a cast made up of a gallery of talented actors, his film displays very fine writing. Skillfully, The Party Poopers tackles a large number of subjects while always hitting the mark, giving them universal resonance. Whatever your profile or age, at some point the film will grab you and bring you back to familiar questions.
A sensitive LGBTQIA+ film about friendship and tolerance
Full of empathy and sensitivity, the film even achieves the feat of making us see certain things in a new light, generously and sincerely advocating tolerance and love for others while celebrating friendship. We become completely attached to this group and no longer want to leave them.
A film produced in 2024, available on VOD and on
Other films about the passing of time
- Forever
- A Spring in Hong Kong
- Love is strange
