If you weren't on board for Gomes' reflex-style filmmaking in the first volume, I'm sorry to say that you won't be on board here, but there's a little more levity in this one and now that we understand the climate of the film it's easier to get what Gomes is trying to do, especially considering a more accessible formal warmth that doesn't seem so intent on turning away viewers (ironically part of the reason I preferred the first). This volume is poignant and funny at once, and although I feel these films may get lost somewhere in the annals of time, it's no small feat to craft something as complete as The Desolate One.

Full review to come with final/next volume.