[SXSW 2024] HIGH TIDE -- Lived-In LGBTQIA+ Drama Is a Hidden Gem

Review by Sean Boelman

Credit: Jacob Yakob

Every year, an under-the-radar gem falls through the cracks of SXSW, overshadowed by the flashier premieres. This year that seems destined to be Marco Calvani’s High Tide. The romantic drama boasts an incredible cast, gorgeous views, and interesting themes, carrying it through a story that occasionally feels too familiar and overly rushed.

The film is set in Provincetown, Rhode Island, as an undocumented Brazilian immigrant finds unexpected love as the clock ticks down on him finding a way to stay in the United States. Although this story could have played out in quite a few ways, Calvani goes with a tender, restrained romantic drama, and it’s mostly quite effective.

High Tide is at its best when it explores the complexities of the LGBTQIA+ community. Calvani brings a unique perspective to the intersectionality of racial and sexual identity, provoking some interesting questions that few have dared to ask. However, other themes — like immigration — are not explored with as much depth.

The movie’s real highlight is Marco Pigossi, who is an astonishing discovery. His performance oozes empathy, even when the script treads more well-worn beats. There’s something almost deceiving about Pigossi's model-like features that allows the vulnerability of the character and his performance to shine through.

Calvani’s big mistake was having the protagonist encounter too many supporting characters. On the one hand, this allowed the filmmaker to work with talented people like Marisa Tomei, Bill Irwin, and Bryan Batt — who each give strong performances. However, these characters don’t feel like they push forward the narrative meaningfully.

This also leads to the script’s pacing feeling somewhat askew. While the first two acts are incredibly patient and measured, the final third feels like it was rushed to tie everything together. At a certain point, it just feels like things are happening to the protagonist, and any sense of naturalism that the rest of the movie has is replaced by melodrama.

Still, the first two-thirds of High Tide is such an absolute knockout that it makes up for a conclusion that feels dissatisfying and strewn together. Although the film feels a bit similar to other queer romantic dramas, Marco Calvani has made his movie feel incredibly lived-in and authentic.

High Tide is screening at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, which runs March 8-16 in Austin, TX.

​Rating: 4/5