.....a "Classic" in the making. Hey, to become one, not everything has to be an emotional downer like the exceptional "Brokeback Mountain." The 'light romance' film category has its "Classics," too. And this film, this "Boy Culture" is so good it's almost "fairy tale-ish" (that's meant in a good way).....so different from what films usually give us about ourselves (Q. Allan Brocka: "King of Gay Filmdom").
Yes, it is a love story.....one about looking for love---a real and lasting love---and being afraid to accept it when it's found. And "X" proclaims it so loudly and clearly when he first introduces us to Andrew: "That's who this is all about." (And wouldn't you, the viewer, then think that puts Andrew in an all-powerful position.....well, just wait and see).
But, enough about the story. While many other online reviewers here have already talked about story line.....plot, lets us now do some "actor digging."
First, it's got to be said that this is not one of those movies where one need only watch facial expressions, or body language, and listen to what's being said. Oh, no, in this one, it's an absolute must to "watch the eyes".....you've just got to "watch the eyes." Why? Because Derek Magyar ("X") has great eyes---he can make love to you with those eyes. And did you even catch how many times those eyes had tears in them? Amazing! And while it's Darryl Stephens who has the beautiful eyes, it's Derek who has the world in his. Watch for them misting up when he knows he's been cutting and unkind to Andrew, or when at a wedding he becomes aware he's about to lose out on the only person he knows he wants / he loves. Oh, and, for the fun of it, be sure to watch closely what he does with those eyes at that point in the film where he enters their digs and sits down right against Andrew on the sofa. Just watch where those eyes "go to" (you'll be able to picture yourself having done exactly what he does). Yes, those eyes are his most devastating physical feature.....I so hope you have a large and clear enough screen to see all this. Again, he's just amazing! Am I in love? Yes, I am.
Second, what else can you say about the two young lead characters in this fairy tale of love, other than that they have "those feelings" for one another......if only they'd let themselves stop to realize it. In that exciting near-the-end scene (which is a repeat of another love tale told in this story), when asked what he is doing, "X" replies: "Waiting for you" (going on to tell us, in voice-over: "The words haunted me"). We, the viewers, then realize, as does he, that's exactly what he has been doing throughout the entire film narrative: "Waiting for Andrew"......to accept Andrew. BUT, dear readers, whether he accomplishes that is for you to find out.
Everything in and about this production moves like the proverbial clockwork; there really are no rough spots. How Director "Q" got these levels of performance out of this "tri-pod" of, essentially, first-timers-to-movies (Magyar, Stephens and Jonathon Trent) is almost unprecedented and beyond me. To be factual, though, it is really more of a "quad-pod," when you stop to realize that the good, senior Mr. Patrick Bauchau is as much a "cast leg" of this production as any of the other three. But.....the important thing for us to note is that "Q" did draw out top notch levels of performance, and he has, indeed, given us that rarity---a gay love story that provides a "lives happily ever after." You needed that, I needed that, (Ennis and Jack needed that), we all needed that. Thank you immeasurably, Mr. Brocka, nephew of The Philippine's Lino Brocka, director of 1988's "Macho Dancer" (we know; it's in the genes, it's in the genes). I'm so looking forward to what you give us in the future. If I knew a way to invest in you, fiscally, I would.
A final thought for a specific audience segment---Isn't it interesting that the only "real simulated" sex in this production (that means 'anal' for those of you wondering) is not between our two young lead lovers. Instead, we Seniors out here get the goods---for once. Go us!!
****
Yes, it is a love story.....one about looking for love---a real and lasting love---and being afraid to accept it when it's found. And "X" proclaims it so loudly and clearly when he first introduces us to Andrew: "That's who this is all about." (And wouldn't you, the viewer, then think that puts Andrew in an all-powerful position.....well, just wait and see).
But, enough about the story. While many other online reviewers here have already talked about story line.....plot, lets us now do some "actor digging."
First, it's got to be said that this is not one of those movies where one need only watch facial expressions, or body language, and listen to what's being said. Oh, no, in this one, it's an absolute must to "watch the eyes".....you've just got to "watch the eyes." Why? Because Derek Magyar ("X") has great eyes---he can make love to you with those eyes. And did you even catch how many times those eyes had tears in them? Amazing! And while it's Darryl Stephens who has the beautiful eyes, it's Derek who has the world in his. Watch for them misting up when he knows he's been cutting and unkind to Andrew, or when at a wedding he becomes aware he's about to lose out on the only person he knows he wants / he loves. Oh, and, for the fun of it, be sure to watch closely what he does with those eyes at that point in the film where he enters their digs and sits down right against Andrew on the sofa. Just watch where those eyes "go to" (you'll be able to picture yourself having done exactly what he does). Yes, those eyes are his most devastating physical feature.....I so hope you have a large and clear enough screen to see all this. Again, he's just amazing! Am I in love? Yes, I am.
Second, what else can you say about the two young lead characters in this fairy tale of love, other than that they have "those feelings" for one another......if only they'd let themselves stop to realize it. In that exciting near-the-end scene (which is a repeat of another love tale told in this story), when asked what he is doing, "X" replies: "Waiting for you" (going on to tell us, in voice-over: "The words haunted me"). We, the viewers, then realize, as does he, that's exactly what he has been doing throughout the entire film narrative: "Waiting for Andrew"......to accept Andrew. BUT, dear readers, whether he accomplishes that is for you to find out.
Everything in and about this production moves like the proverbial clockwork; there really are no rough spots. How Director "Q" got these levels of performance out of this "tri-pod" of, essentially, first-timers-to-movies (Magyar, Stephens and Jonathon Trent) is almost unprecedented and beyond me. To be factual, though, it is really more of a "quad-pod," when you stop to realize that the good, senior Mr. Patrick Bauchau is as much a "cast leg" of this production as any of the other three. But.....the important thing for us to note is that "Q" did draw out top notch levels of performance, and he has, indeed, given us that rarity---a gay love story that provides a "lives happily ever after." You needed that, I needed that, (Ennis and Jack needed that), we all needed that. Thank you immeasurably, Mr. Brocka, nephew of The Philippine's Lino Brocka, director of 1988's "Macho Dancer" (we know; it's in the genes, it's in the genes). I'm so looking forward to what you give us in the future. If I knew a way to invest in you, fiscally, I would.
A final thought for a specific audience segment---Isn't it interesting that the only "real simulated" sex in this production (that means 'anal' for those of you wondering) is not between our two young lead lovers. Instead, we Seniors out here get the goods---for once. Go us!!
****