During Covid lockdowns, while many of us were glugging wine, projecting our insecurities on to our pets and pretending to read a lot, Natalie Morales and Mark Duplass were putting their time to much better use, collaborating on the excellent film Language Lessons. Morales’s 2021 directorial debut is a story of platonic friendship, adversity and mutual support, told entirely through video calls and messages.
Adam (Duplass) lives in Oakland, California and is given a course of online Spanish Lessons by his partner, Will (Desean Terry). His teacher, Cariño (Morales), lives in Costa Rica and through their weekly lessons a bond is quickly formed. When Adam’s life is turned upside down, Cariño is there as a source of stability – a constant presence during a period of turmoil. We watch this friendship form, grow and be tested. As far as plot goes, there’s not a lot more to say as it’s far better to let Adam and Cariño’s story unfold in front of you.
