I went to watch this film last night with a bunch of teammates after a horrific practice. And this was just what we needed!'Hasta la Vista' has its moments where your eyes tear up with joy and laughter as well as wanting to cry your heart out just moments later. The chemistry between the trio (or perhaps I should say foursome) of actors comes across as very real and the story is truly wonderful. At times, it wanders off onto the path of predictability, but then again, which film tries to completely steer clear of this (succesful) route?

 

In conclusion, this is a very nice flick. The humour, the sadness, the like-ability of the actors along with the great acting all cumulates into a very enjoyable film where it's hard not to root for them to reach their goal. And for those interested, our night ended with some of us dancing on tables in one of the better bars in Antwerp, and I like to think it was 'Hasta la Vista' that set the mood perfectly.

 

A unique story

 

Author: Ioana P from Romania

12 June 2012

*

I enjoyed this movie particularly because it is so different. You have three friends, young men with various handicaps, they want to live their life as it is and make the most of it, despite their condition. The most handsome of them is also the one that has to face the most serious and life threatening condition... 

 

Overall it is about friendship, love of course but most importantly being alive in the true sense of the word. Experiencing novelty, seeking and trying... not giving up. In the face of the most feared element of one's life... that is death. There is no running away from it, but making the most of one's life until the inevitable happens. There is sadness in the movie, throughout, even when dreams come true. But there is also pure humor. Very recommended.

 

Fantastic film - 3 friends who learn the beauty and the horror of life

 

Author: butterflyripo from Germany

3 August 2012

Also known as "Come As You Are", a beautiful film from Belgium starring Tom Audenaert, Robrecht Vanden Thoren and Gilles De Schrijver as three disabled friends who want to go to Spain, to lose their virginity, the story is based upon a real-life experience. They get help by nurse Claude, played by Isabelle de Hertogh, who drives them through Belgium, France and Spain, in her own way.

 

"Hasta la Vista" is beautifully shot and realistically written - funny and sad - in the end a fantastic movie about 3 friends who learn the beauty and the horror of life. Philippe is paraplegic and hilarious, Lars sits in a wheelchair because he has cancer, and Jozef is almost blind. The actors are nothing but great, and very likable. They meet Claude who becomes the 4th friend and all together they enter a wonderful journey in which everybody learns something about themselves - but not in a cliché way! The movie is different and original, we can relate to everyone, which shows how well its done, because we're not necessary disabled like them. The end is moving and one of the strong points of the film. Absolutely recommended!

 

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Great drama

 

Author: kosmasp

19 November 2012

You really have to give credit to the filmmakers for tackling this very tough subject matter! Especially because they're not steering off to cliché country. That doesn't mean it isn't predictable, but that it feels and looks honest. The three main actors do have a lot of to work with and they'll get their moment to "shine" (no pun intended). But "Claude" is also a great character.

 

Even when the characters feel annoying, you can't be too mad at them. But you can see where all the conflict is coming from. It's not easy sometimes to walk that fine line (no pun intended), when it comes to character likability. Watch it if you like good and believable drama!

Geoffrey Enthoven’s ‘‘Hasta la Vista’’ film sends us the message: Carpe Diem. Life is hard but the moments we share are the important ones. Friendship makes people recognize themselves.So, Philip(Robrecht Vanden Thoren)Lars(Gilles De Schrijver)and Josef(Tom Audenaert)are not just three young special-needs friends but three “lotus eaters” who want to pursue the dream of being independent with money abroad. After having spent a lot of years on a domestic life with parents, it’s time they discovered something different. It’s time they lost their virginity. So here the subject comes regarding this road movie about the importance of keeping the dreams alive notwithstanding any difficulties let alone different disabilities.

 

To pursue the dream of traveling- with the exact aim to visit a Spanish brothel- the three friends accept finally to be supported by Claude- Isabelle de Hertogh- who is in between a nurse and a driver for them. As soon as they realize her valuable role, their journey becomes pleasant. It is that moment Joe Dassin’s music comes to the fore. And the moments’ sharing present makes them see how this journey experience is an acquired taste. Claude performs a mother care role for all of them, whereas cityscapes change fast one after another. Dolce Vita is a fact. However, the story does not misinterpret the issue of life and death, even though the sea shootings have successfully created a balanced atmosphere of expectation in the film by setting the target destination from scratch. Sea is the destination but seems also to be the starting-point for the unknown. 

 

Consequently, it is vital that we become acquainted with the reality of special-needs men. This film illustrates some aspects of their life to make clear that they are people like all other people. Through a sense of humor, three characters are depicted in the modern era of techno vibes where mobiles are everywhere, parents’ fears continue to exist but, however, the majority of people somehow resist on disability. “Hasta La Vista” is an illustrated proof that even difficult life is life and therefore, instead of tilting at windmills, we should start spending our energy on relationships. No wonder why the film gained the audience award of EFA (European Film Academy) in 2012. Good, interesting, special.

 

 

Tout comme dans NATIONALE 7 de Jean-Pierre Sinapi, Geoffrey Enthoven (LES FILLES) traite avec bonne humeur et dérision le thème délicat de la sexualité des handicapés. À la différence que HASTA LA VISTA! met l'accent, non sur l'assouvissement du désir des protagonistes, mais sur l'amitié qui les unit. En outre, le scénario, librement inspiré d'une histoire vraie, dénonce au passage le racisme et l'intolérance au sein de la société flamande, pas toujours de façon très subtile cependant. Résultat: un road movie attachant, quoique prévisible à toutes les escales, réalisé avec souplesse et défendu par de solides interprètes.

Robrecht Vanden Thoren réussit à rendre touchant l'odieux et égocentrique personnage du paraplégique, Gilles De Schrijver rend bien les fêlures et le caractère instable d'un jeune homme injustement condamné par la maladie et Tom Audenaert,avec son air gentiment ahuri,compose un quasi aveugle fort attendrissant Quant à Isabelle de Hertogh, elle confère force et roublardise à son personnage d'infirmière complexée et blessée par la vie,qui parviendra pourtant à s'épanouir au contact de ses turbulents passagers.