Film Reviews by tw

This film is not in any way a sanitised or glamourised portrayal of the Gay community in Paris reaction to the sudden and fatal devastation wreaked by AIDS.  The spirit and organisation of the Gay community is in stark juxtaposition with official indifference and denial of what in mid 80's France was still seen as a minority disease.  The almost documentary style is so unsettling in the way it captures the desperation, resignation and despair of these times.  The realistic, unflinching portrayal of the raw horrific physical reality of AIDS is hard to watch even decades later. The story is interwoven with the sincere and moving journey of love towards death from aids and then beyond which give just a glimmer of hope.  The personal, emotional political themes seamlessly merge in this hard to watch but powerful film.   In early 2021the many themes suddenly seem universally more relevant indeed prescient.     

This film draws you directly into the emotional interplay between two working class single mother families. You only notice afterwards, the few characters and limited sets could almost have been a play and it has the same compelling engagement, which is difficult to achieve in film. The story of love, hope and expectations against a stark backdrop with limited opportunities is never depressing, nor sentimental.  This carefully crafted film is not as simple as the story may suggest, but a realistic exploration of relationships and humanity with sensitivity and insight eliciting convincing performances from some very young actors.    

This was like a school film group project that did not go well at all.  The whole synopsis of Mormon boy led astray could have been handled in a much more developed and sensitive way and the ending was a bit Disney.  All the characters were wooden cliches and no developments or convincing interaction between them left an assembly of cardboard cut outs acting very badly though a cliche story. I nearly switched it off.

I did not feel the narrative was sufficient to carry the characters who were a bit like porn stars who had been given some speaking parts.

The cultural context of may be hard for some people.  A sensitive, insightful and deep exploration into the fractured society after the troubles in Ireland with the fundamental influence of the priest beginning to be reconsidered.  So many sometimes harrowing  family plots revolving around a larger political and religious dialogue that is still evolving.  

This film moves beyond the gay coming out theme that becomes a framework for much more. We begin with an observation of trying to maintain dedicated Christian values within a conventional Californian family. The growing awareness of a convoluted gay teenager reveal conflicts within the family and beyond into ostensible USA society and conventions. There is then a hinge point and the story returns to the family following each character on an gripping journey as they develop growing emotional intelligence which leads them to a greater awareness and clarity beyond the family itself. The film avoids critical stances but maintains engagement with each charcter as the story unfolds to an ultimately optimistic conclusion. It subtly explores important themes in individuals and how these are reflected in society.