LUZ

Luz does have trouble giving depth to its characters. Rather than a deep dive character study, the film is very plot-centered. That is not inherently a bad thing, but unfortunately, when moving the plot gets in the way of developing characters, it can be a shortcoming.

The film’s writer and director, Jon Garcia, treats the physicality of their romance in a frank way, staging realistic love scenes that show the attraction between the characters. But Garcia is less adept at finding passion in between scenes of sex.

Luz is a slow, soapy prison romance that, if nothing else, is not quite like any prison and “getting out” picture you’ve ever seen.