What does it look like when one state refuses to abide by a Supreme Court ruling? The alternately charming and shocking documentary No Dress Code Required chronicles the legal havoc generated by the real-life story of a same-sex couple in Baja California (which is a state in Mexico). Victor and Fernando, who have been together for a decade and are partners in a hair salon that caters to a number of about-to-be brides, want to get married. Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage some time ago, so the hugely likeable protagonists in this tale don’t expect a problem. But Baja—and the city of Mexicali, where Victor and Fernando live—refuses to allow the ceremony on religious grounds. While the men could travel to Mexico City to be wed, they choose to stand their ground on home turf, enlisting a pair of crusading attorneys who are determined to end discrimination against gay marriage. The result is an agonizingly protracted conflict with Baja and Mexicali authorities, who keep throwing absurd hurdles in the path of Victor and Fernando (at one point even accusing the pair of dementia). Filmmaker Cristina Herrera Borquez balances the legal battle with a warm portrait of her subjects, whose dignity and patience through the long slog is admirable. Recommended. (T. Keogh)
No Dress Code Required
Strand, 92 min., in Spanish w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $24.99, Aug. 28 Volume 33, Issue 5
No Dress Code Required
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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