I started watching this movie, not knowing what to expect. The whole issue of conversion therapy has been close to me ever since a friend of mine who's gay wanted to try and change his sexual orientation. That's why I approached this movie with both anticipation - for some possible answers - and dread.
Let me put it this way: if you want to understand why some gay men want to change their sexual orientation, you've come to the right place. The movie, through the characters of Frank and Dr. Apsey, raises many questions that aren't easily dismissed. The writing is good, the acting is good, and the way it all plays out is both engaging and plausible.
At the end of the day, however, I felt the problem was that too many of the questions raised weren't handled well enough, weren't addressed as they should have been, considering their enormity. Supposedly the movie gives both sides a chance to show their point of view. Supposedly you're given an answer at the end as to which "side" Frank chooses. But you're given no insight as to why he makes the choice that he does at the end (don't worry, I won't give it away) and you certainly not hearing a real discussion between the two opposing POVs, as one is more dominant in this movie, in a way that Considering the importance (even the urgent importance, that the movie itself refers to) of not leaving this discussion one-sided in those areas where there are answers to be offered to the questions raised here, I think there's still an issue of social responsibility pressing, that suggests those answers should have been supplied more than they have been.
Yet for all this, it does make you think. If you're willing to be a thinker, if you're willing to have a go and find the answers that truly balance things out yourself, you could indeed enjoy this movie.
Let me put it this way: if you want to understand why some gay men want to change their sexual orientation, you've come to the right place. The movie, through the characters of Frank and Dr. Apsey, raises many questions that aren't easily dismissed. The writing is good, the acting is good, and the way it all plays out is both engaging and plausible.
At the end of the day, however, I felt the problem was that too many of the questions raised weren't handled well enough, weren't addressed as they should have been, considering their enormity. Supposedly the movie gives both sides a chance to show their point of view. Supposedly you're given an answer at the end as to which "side" Frank chooses. But you're given no insight as to why he makes the choice that he does at the end (don't worry, I won't give it away) and you certainly not hearing a real discussion between the two opposing POVs, as one is more dominant in this movie, in a way that Considering the importance (even the urgent importance, that the movie itself refers to) of not leaving this discussion one-sided in those areas where there are answers to be offered to the questions raised here, I think there's still an issue of social responsibility pressing, that suggests those answers should have been supplied more than they have been.
Yet for all this, it does make you think. If you're willing to be a thinker, if you're willing to have a go and find the answers that truly balance things out yourself, you could indeed enjoy this movie.