Morgan (2012) User Reviews

Instructional drama in the style of a Classic Novel

[kuhske-1 · 8/10 · 3 January 2013]

After reading a peer view on IMDb, I was cautious when I watched this movie. But I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of universal human emotions depicted in an above average production (compared to many other independent gay-themed movies). A recently disabled young man has to cope with his condition, and the movie shows us his emotional metamorphosis. This follows many classic novels that high school teachers force their students to read (e.g., A Separate Peace and Catcher in the Rye). The main characters are gay. But it could have been a straight protagonist and the plot can still be played out without much change. Sexual orientation is a minor issue here. The gay characters do not display stereotypical "gay" mannerism, so the audience is not constantly reminded that they are gay. Unfortunately, as the movie has a gay protagonist, many straight people would avoid this movie with substance.

To be able to relate to the emotional transformation of the main character, one needs exposure to disabled people and those who help them to live a productive life (e.g. occupational therapists & physical therapists). This film will ring true for those who are disabled or are working with people with disability. They can relate to the transformation of the protagonist. It is instructional on dealing with and moving on with disability.

Together with 'Keep the Lights on', 'Morgan' is a gem of a film that is like a classic novel; 'Morgan' is not an entertaining romance or romantic comedy popular with many viewers. The latter genre, one watches, indulges in the entertaining elements once, and then forget about it. Not this drama, it teaches one about dealing with and moving on with disability.

Understated Yet Ultimately Powerful ...

[REDJunior · 8/10 · 12 June 2020]

One thousand three-hundred seventeen other Ratings and only ten Reviews as I write this ... several of those Reviews are unnecessarily harsh and negative. There is little actual basis for the negativity other than it being an expression of only one person's opinion.

I liked "Morgan" and I'm at a loss that more people have not had ... or taken ... the opportunity to watch such an understated, yet powerful, little film.

Atypical story line and heartwarming

[ohlabtechguy · 7/10 · 17 August 2018]

Just caught "Morgan" on the web. Entire movie takes place in NYC and features two young, attractive, masculine actors playing gay characters. Acting was uneven, but Leo(Morgan) played a convincing paraplegic. An outstanding acting scene was when he raced his wheel chair down a winding path, wiped out and had to pull himself up out of a ravine - all without using his legs. Leo's new found love interest was a bit too "nice" and understanding for a "walker", but Dean's character served to create a heartwarming tale of how some people are not turned off by another's physical disabilities. Overall, interesting story line....good pacing....good acting....decent score....decent script. Loved the FU scene where Leo, talking on his cell, shows his desperation and despair over being handicapped and not being able to compete as he once had.

Good beginning deteriorates into absurd, annoying melodrama

[jm10701 · 19 May 2013]

The first half of this movie is very good, refreshingly low-key and original, with a believable, slowly-developing romance between Morgan and Dean in Inwood, the far northern tip of Manhattan almost never seen in movies. The relaxed, small-town, almost rural character of the place is a welcome change from the frantic pace, hard-edged greed and shallow posturing that dominate in the more fashionable areas downtown where most movies are made. The city used to have many such low-key neighborhoods that we never see in movies, so it's good to see this one while it still exists.

Unfortunately, the movie sort of disintegrates in its second half. Producers Akers and Berg must have thought a simple love story would be too boring, so they shoehorned a boatload of dramatic tension into the gentle, lovely story and ruined it. There are no gay-beating thugs, which is the stock drama-injector in gay movies, and its absence here is a great relief; but the absurd and highly annoying behavior of the main character is even more infuriating in a different, if much less hackneyed, way.

A consistent delight throughout the movie, though, is Jack Kesy's gentle but powerful performance as Dean. He is unfailingly marvelous... so good that he makes the movie worth watching despite its significant flaws and Leo Minaya's much more heavy-handed and less believable performance as Morgan.

Underrated Emotional Romantic Movie

[joeydoughnuts-1 · 9/10 · 24 May 2020]

There are a lot of negative reviews about how poorly made this movie is. There are also negative reviews about how poorly the acting is. I found this movie very uplifting very emotional and I found it heartwarming and touching. This might be a low budget movie. But it touches at the heart it makes you fall in love with it this is a good movie about overcoming obstacles and detours to find true romance.

I recommend this movie for couples or single individual who are trying to find romance this is a good movie I'm glad I watched it and I'm glad I downloaded it from Amazon prime for my library when I'm down and out I watch it and realize How life is important.

A very positive film in all departments

[formidible-441-172674 · 9/10 · 28 June 2020]

No problems being "out" here. No drugs, no addictions, no tragic ending, just two ordinary gay guys falling in love, and one finally coming to terms with himself and his physical disability. A warm hearted and very positive, moving film. Its not going to win major acting or technical awards, but that's not the point.

Below amateur dialogue & direction & acting ruin a good story.....

[larry-abramsky · 4/10 · 4 August 2013]

'MORGAN' is a perfect case of when a writer should not be allowed to direct his own script. The set up of the movie was very very good, as was the scene set up. The first problem was that the director had a below amateur level script/dialogue to work with, along with an author who refused to edit or get help (same person) . Most of the actors were not only miscast, but were very very 'wanting' in their acting talents and abilities .... mind you, even great actors could not have done very much more with the stereotypical poor dialogue. Did no other actors/actresses show up for the casting call?

I would love to executive produce a re-make of this project, with a top notch writer and new experienced director attached.

If you are willing to squint and grimace at least four/five times during each scene, take the 90 minutes to watch it through and imagine what a pretty good movie might look like with a quality re-write and with a seasoned director.

Well Worth Your Time

[hjames-97822 · 9/10 · 18 April 2015]

Wow! I am stingy with praise, but this little film is a beautiful testament to love and loss and survival. Truly inspiring. I find most indie and especially gay themed indie films are strictly hit and miss. Many, frankly, dwell way too much on skin and never really get below he surface of their characters. This film is the exception.

The cast is to a person just wonderful. Perfect. And let me tell you, playing a paraplegic is not an easy task. But the point I wanted to make most of all is the issue of love among the handicapped. We write the handicapped off in terms of their sexuality. We tend to find them damaged goods on the outside and never bother to take a look behind their disabilities. I think people would be surprised at how many gay men, lesbians and bi-sexual people are coming out of our military with serious physical handicaps as well as emotional trauma.

There is life and love for everyone after misfortune. Both physical misfortune and mental. This one is very much worth a look.

A bumpy road for the wheelchair guy

[cekadah · 5/10 · 5 April 2014]

Just too much anger and "emotion" to be taken seriously. But the topic is intriguing!

Physically damaged Morgan meets emotionally damaged Dean, they date, they love, they decide to live together. All this happens with the full support of Morgan's mother and best friend Darra. Happiness all around!

Morgan, now in a wheelchair, wants to participate in a bike race on a rather dangerous path (the very path that caused his permanent injury). No one supports him so he gets angry and tries to prove himself anyway. Disaster!

He learns his lesson and apologizes for getting angry at everybody. Happiness all around. Nice sweet story, poor acting, but at least this topic was made into a flick!

Heart felt but the drama was unrealistic

[kernaltime · 8/10 · 14 November 2021]

A lot of potential in this movie was realised, but unfortunately the middle of the movie was cringe worthy and disappointing.

The first part of the movie took time to build out the characters of Morgan and his mum and Dean, this helped make them believable. Morgan's relationship with mum holds this movie together.

Unfortunately the relationship between Morgan and his female friend is not believable, the script writers seem to want to show that it's ok to treat disabled people just like everyone else, but the friend's negativity goes to far and I couldn't believe in their friendship.

Sadly by the mid point of film, the drama was excessive and hard to watch. Dean and Morgan's relationship is superficial and the script missed the opportunity to show them adapting to life with a wheel chair by weaving the wonderful sub-plot conversations with doctor, bycicle shop, and landlord into their relationship (in the same way physiotherapist sub-plot). Instead Morgan and Dean's relationship superficial, toxic and full of secrets.

At the climax of the movie, the drama is suddenly forgotten, and returns to exploring the characters of Morgan, Dean and the Mum, who give great performances.

The little movie that couldn't...

[carlosmgv13 · 5/10 · 14 April 2014]

A great idea with a good cinematography but totally destroyed by dialogs and actors. This could have been a very interesting movie, and you can tell that if the people behind it would have taken the time to really correct the script and make a descent cast. It would be a 10 stars movie.

The dialogs were totally inappropriate, didn't help at all to the development of the story, out of place and tacky. ACtor didn't help at all totally forced actors with no emotion what so ever.

Gay movies are an underground topic which is hard to find this days, with just a few exceptions here and there. I totally support this kinds of films and it would be interesting that more people started giving the appropriate attentions to this films.

Poor Acting, Scripting, Cinematography and Story

[sameerb · 2/10 · 26 May 2012]

I don't even want to waste time writing this review but I really think that this movie was unfortunately waste of my time and money (and want to spare a few people from watching). I saw this at the Toronto Inside-Out Festival not knowing what I was getting myself into. From the first 5 minutes you could tell that the actors were beyond amateur.

The cinematography was poor, the lighting was terrible and the intimate scenes were not romantic at all.

I could hardly connect with any characters and the romance seemed so phony .

Overall, a rating of 2 is being generous.