Box office In its first week of release in Brazil, the film debuted in 33 screens, and was the fifth most watched film of the week, with an audience of 30,209 people. Overall, the film grossed R$415,000 between Thursday and Sunday in competition with the release of
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which was released in 1,107 screens. Along with the limited premiere sessions that happened in the previous week to the national release, the film was watched by a total of 31,209 people.
Critical response The Way He Looks received acclaim from film critics.
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 93% of critics have given the film a positive review based on reviews from 43 critics, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The site's critics consensus states: "Compassionate, emotionally detailed, and populated with resonant characters,
The Way He Looks leaves a warmth that lingers."
Metacritic gave the film a score of 71 out of 100 based on reviews from 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Boyd van Hoeij of
The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review, saying that "Ribeiro has impressively fleshed out the material into a full narrative, with not only added conflict and a convincing gallery of supporting characters but also an entirely new focus on the quest for independence of the blind lead." Jay Weissber of the
Variety remarked "Daniel Ribeiro's gay coming-of-age debut has an undeniable appeal... this is a gay story, done with tenderness and capturing the hesitancy of expressing affection when rejection can have ugly consequences." Roger Walker-Dack writing for
Queertiques.com, wrote "There is nothing at all extraordinary in the plot-lines of this wee movie, but somehow it has the most endearing quality that makes it so immensely enjoyable. There is a remarkable innocence to this group of young people who all seem never to have even been kissed, and even the inclusion of Leo's taunting by the bullies in his class has no hint of any real hatred. There are some really nice touches of humor and tenderness, none more so than when Gabriel insists that Leo learns how to dance. What does make it all so compelling is the captivating performances of the three young lead actors, particularly Ghilherme Lobo who was so pitch perfect as the blind boy." The film also received generally positive reviews from the Brazilian press. Raisa Rossi of
Almanaque Virtual gave the film a positive review, saying "Hard not to be moved by such a light and true story, which nullifies any kind of prejudice. The compelling interpretations, especially Ghilherme Lobo as a blind kid, nice and smooth picture soundtrack and right round the merits of the film." On the Brazilian site
Cineclick, reviewer Roberto Guerra cited the film as "Flawless and sensitive under various aspects.... Few films, national or international, treat sexual manifestation of a teenager with much refining and subtlety is in the whole and not only in the construction of the dramatic character arc. Soundtrack, cinematography, editing and supporting cast work in subtle harmony, but always vibrant."
Accolades Upon its premiere at the
64th Berlin International Film Festival,
The Way He Looks won the
FIPRESCI Prize for best feature film in the Panorama section and the
Teddy Award for best LGBT-themed feature. It also won the 2nd place award in the Panorama section. ==See also==