‘Cassandro’
Gael García Bernal rarely misses, but this uplifting biopic about Cassandro—the “exotico” character created by Saúl Armendáriz, one of Mexico’s first famous gay luchador wrestlers—is perhaps his best performance to date. Bernal throws himself into the character completely, and his tender compassion will have you in tears. That’s especially true in one stand-out scene where a young boy comes out to him. Bernal has no dialogue as he listens to the boy’s tale, and he doesn’t need any: Every emotion Cassandro feels in this moment is plainly displayed on his face. It’s a little early for Oscar predictions, but personally, I think Cassandro should earn Bernal a nomination, at least.