Movie Review – Tomboy

We tend to think that life is sweet and innocent for children. That they have not yet had to face any issues of real consequence.  However, in the years preceding adolescence many things change for us that we aren’t yet equipped to understand.  Most of us deal with these changes with the help of friends or family, but gender identity issues complicate matters and leave some of us to fend for ourselves.  Tomboy is a perfect portrayal of this, showing one girl’s struggle to be a boy.

Laure, played by Zoe Heran, has just been moved to a new town and everything seems picture perfect.  She has a loving family, she’s made friends with all the kids in the neighborhood, and she even has a little love interest.  There is only one problem, she’s told everyone she’s Mickael and she’s quickly learning it’s harder to be a boy than she thought.

I was very impressed with this film, written and directed by Celine Sciamma.  It’s a beautiful, minimalist film that draws us into Laure’s mind and makes us feel.  We are excited and scared for her, sharing her happiness and her pain.  We know the worst is coming but we hope for the best.  I was especially struck by the level of maturity that was evident in the performances of these young actors and actresses.  Zoe created subtle nuances of character that really brought Mickael to life.

The ending felt a bit abrupt and left me with several frustrating questions, however, I have no other complaints with this film.  I enjoyed watching it very much and would gladly watch it again.  Therefore, I give this beautiful drama a rating of four and a half stars.  S’amuser!

Movie Review – Five Dances

I’ve been trying to find a gay film for my movie review but, whether it’s because that’s not my thing or because they really were just awful, I’ve hated every one that I watched.  That is until I came across the movie Five Dances.  It’s actually a really adorable love story.

Chip Daniel, played by Ryan Steele, is in New York struggling to live as a dancer.  He snags a choice spot in a performance and meets fellow dancer Theo, played by Reed Luplau.  Their dynamic relationship of competition and friendship ultimately blossoms into something more.  We know it may not last, but we root for it all the same.

Writer and director Alan Brown did a fantastic job of showing how emotion can be presented through movement and expression.  It didn’t hurt that his actors were fantastic dancers.  Reed graduated from the Australian Ballet School, joined the Sydney Dance Company, and won the Australian Dance Award for “Most Outstanding Male Dancer” in 2009 before he moved to NYC and took up acting.  Ryan received training from The Juilliard School’s Summer Dance Intensive and many other programs and went on to perform on Broadway before he took to the silver screen.  Both men and the supporting actors were excellent in their performance and I could just as easily get lost in the dance as I could the plot.

Overall this was a really beautiful movie.  What struck me most was how refreshing it was because it didn’t rely on the time worn cliches like drugs, clubs, or broken marriages.  This is a very unique movie and a touching story of young love and that’s why I gave it four stars.

Movie Review – Cloudburst

I love hearing the stories of old LGBT couples because they tell us how far we’ve come and give us the inspiration to keep going.  That’s why I jumped at the chance to watch Cloudburston Netflix.  It turned out not only to be a great comedy but also one of my new favorite lesbian films.

Writer and director Thom Fitzgerald, an out and proud bisexual man, knew what he was doing when he wrote the part of Stella for actress Olympia Dukakis, a straight ally and LGBT activist.  Her lover of 31 years, Dot, was played by Brenda Fricker, the first Irish woman to win an Oscar.  The story begins when they decide to elope in Canada in order to avoid being split up by family.  On the way they pick up Prentice, played by Ryan Doucette, who quickly becomes their new best friend and biggest advocate.  Together they cause all sorts of madness and mayhem that will have you laughing to split your sides.

Filmed in Nova Scotia, where much of the movie is said to take place, the backdrops are absolutely breathtaking and the lighting and settings capture the mood of every scene perfectly.  The music is generally of an older, jazzy generation that helps to frame the upbringing and experiences of the two older women.  Also, I have to commend the costume designer and makeup artist for turning Olympia Dukakis, Cher’s mother in Moonstruck who went on to play inSteel Magnolias, into a foul mouthed bull dyke.

I guarantee that these wild, wacky characters will have you on the edge of your seat waiting for their next adventure.  They did for me, and that’s why I rate this movie a solid 4 stars.  Since it’s available on Netflix, you can make this your instant choice for this weekend’s movie night.  Make sure you let me know what you think in the comments below.