I got this movie on DVD in January. I have watched it almost every night since then so I feel I can give an adequate review. I have never been affected by a gay film as much as this film has impacted me. Maybe because the two main characters are so easy to identify with and because you long for the happy ending that does not come.
Certainly the film is low-budget and there are some creaks in the plot. But what makes this film work is endearing charm of Tristan Barr and Lucas Linehan in the lead roles. I have never seen a gay film where the two leads had such chemistry with one another as this film (and I own quite a lot of gay films with the coming out theme).
Everyone comments on Lucas Linehan's brilliant performance as the tragic Will. Linehan succeeds on all counts certainly and this can make it easy to overlook Tristan Barr's amazing and equally brilliant performance as the lonely, nerdy, misfit who has to endure the endless bullying and taunting of his schoolmates even though he is not "out of the closet".
Seeing that many reviewers have commented on Linehan's performance, I want to say something about Tristan Barr. He, too, has many, many haunting moments in the film. In the beginning when the teacher is passing out the handouts for the project and Will passes Mike the papers and Mike drops them the expression on his face says, "Boy, he's going to think I'm a clumsy oaf". His awkwardness is evident simply by the look on his face...even before he meets Will. The next great "Mike" moment is when the teacher asks Will to read an excerpt from "Romeo and Juliet" and Mike is completely mesmerized by Will's sensitivity in reading. The camera at first focuses on Will reading then captures Mike's expression.....he can't take his eyes off him. What Barr seems to be thinking (and what he is telling the audience) is "can this guy be like me??? Is he gay"?? A good actor will convey with his face and eyes what dialogue cannot express. The director wisely muffles the sound as Will continues reading and the camera focuses on Mike's "thoughts" revealed only through his face.
My favorite "Mike" moment is the scene in the garage where he has set up a small film projector and fixed a big screen to show Will, who has never been to a drive-in, what its like to see a movie there. Will is unquestionably happy and thrilled at what Mike has done for him and Mike's face shows delight in Will's happiness. This is probably my favorite scene in the whole film because it shows the caring, compassion and love between these two lonely misfits. Mike's face as he looks at Will enjoying himself has a poignant pathos and one has to have a heart of stone not to be moved by such a showing of love in such a simple, understated way.
Other Great "Mike Moments": When Will pushes him unexpectedly into the pool and Mike reacts with "hurt" because it brings the bullying he has known throughout his life into reality.
When Mike shyly asks Will if they are "together". Mike's longing to take Will to the dance and Will rejects him because he is "scared". One's heart aches for Mike because we feel his pain just as we feel Will's pain with his abusive father.
WARNING: BIG SPOILER ALERT: Mike running down the street because he fears for Will's life and comforting Will when Will breaks down after the confrontation with his father. The last 17 minutes of the film all belong to Barr who never loses his audience. His broken heart is revealed for all to see, even the bully. His running out to the grassy field and digging his hands in the dirt and letting out his grief because he last lost his "great love" makes you want to reach out and say....its all just a bad dream Mike. You're going to wake up just as the teacher puts the film in the VCR and Will is going to be right next to you telling you to "calm down" ...you were just having a horrible nightmare. At least that is how I choose to look at the ending.
This is one movie I will never tire of seeing and let's give credit where credit is due....Linehan AND Barr's touching and brilliant performances brought out by director, Lee Galea!
Certainly the film is low-budget and there are some creaks in the plot. But what makes this film work is endearing charm of Tristan Barr and Lucas Linehan in the lead roles. I have never seen a gay film where the two leads had such chemistry with one another as this film (and I own quite a lot of gay films with the coming out theme).
Everyone comments on Lucas Linehan's brilliant performance as the tragic Will. Linehan succeeds on all counts certainly and this can make it easy to overlook Tristan Barr's amazing and equally brilliant performance as the lonely, nerdy, misfit who has to endure the endless bullying and taunting of his schoolmates even though he is not "out of the closet".
Seeing that many reviewers have commented on Linehan's performance, I want to say something about Tristan Barr. He, too, has many, many haunting moments in the film. In the beginning when the teacher is passing out the handouts for the project and Will passes Mike the papers and Mike drops them the expression on his face says, "Boy, he's going to think I'm a clumsy oaf". His awkwardness is evident simply by the look on his face...even before he meets Will. The next great "Mike" moment is when the teacher asks Will to read an excerpt from "Romeo and Juliet" and Mike is completely mesmerized by Will's sensitivity in reading. The camera at first focuses on Will reading then captures Mike's expression.....he can't take his eyes off him. What Barr seems to be thinking (and what he is telling the audience) is "can this guy be like me??? Is he gay"?? A good actor will convey with his face and eyes what dialogue cannot express. The director wisely muffles the sound as Will continues reading and the camera focuses on Mike's "thoughts" revealed only through his face.
My favorite "Mike" moment is the scene in the garage where he has set up a small film projector and fixed a big screen to show Will, who has never been to a drive-in, what its like to see a movie there. Will is unquestionably happy and thrilled at what Mike has done for him and Mike's face shows delight in Will's happiness. This is probably my favorite scene in the whole film because it shows the caring, compassion and love between these two lonely misfits. Mike's face as he looks at Will enjoying himself has a poignant pathos and one has to have a heart of stone not to be moved by such a showing of love in such a simple, understated way.
Other Great "Mike Moments": When Will pushes him unexpectedly into the pool and Mike reacts with "hurt" because it brings the bullying he has known throughout his life into reality.
When Mike shyly asks Will if they are "together". Mike's longing to take Will to the dance and Will rejects him because he is "scared". One's heart aches for Mike because we feel his pain just as we feel Will's pain with his abusive father.
WARNING: BIG SPOILER ALERT: Mike running down the street because he fears for Will's life and comforting Will when Will breaks down after the confrontation with his father. The last 17 minutes of the film all belong to Barr who never loses his audience. His broken heart is revealed for all to see, even the bully. His running out to the grassy field and digging his hands in the dirt and letting out his grief because he last lost his "great love" makes you want to reach out and say....its all just a bad dream Mike. You're going to wake up just as the teacher puts the film in the VCR and Will is going to be right next to you telling you to "calm down" ...you were just having a horrible nightmare. At least that is how I choose to look at the ending.
This is one movie I will never tire of seeing and let's give credit where credit is due....Linehan AND Barr's touching and brilliant performances brought out by director, Lee Galea!