Julián

Even without the epic scale of some of the studio’s other works, “Julián” is a delight -- elevating its urban context with visual whimsy and a focus on the intergenerational relationship at its center, more than on otherworldly magic.

Adapted from the acclaimed LGBTQ+ themed children’s book Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, this is a film whose message is delivered with an embrace rather than a lecture.

Julián is a film I respect more than I like or would want to watch again. That said, I appreciate a lot of Julián‘s technical elements, especially its presentation.

Self-acceptance and fear of judgment are well-trodden movie themes, yet Julián approaches them with narrative elegance and enough emotional texture to set your soul on fire.