This is the second vertical AI BL drama I've sat through, and honestly I went in knowing better. I had it on while I was doing cardio at the gym, and what struck me was just how much the plot echoed the last one I watched. Same step brother romance angle, same mystery girlfriend showing up near the end, same extra guy pining after one of the leads. Genuinely the only thing going for it was the runtime, the whole thing wrapped up in forty five minutes flat. The setup kicks off with Finn moving schools because his mom just married into money. He finds out his new step brother Aiden goes to the same place, and he's warned to keep his distance from him. Their first run in at school is rocky, just like you'd expect, but there's this odd pull between them neither can shake off. Finn keeps telling himself not to read into it because Aiden's straight and openly homophobic. Things shift when some kids start bullying Finn and the student council president, Ryan, steps in to ...
Henry is turning 17 and his parents are throwing a birthday pool party. His father Bob is a pastor and clearly the family and surroundings are very religious. HIs sister is also back from college for this. The parents have also invited some adults from the church. Introductory scene hints that Henry may have a crush on his best friend who is sleeping over. Kids from church arrive and more form his school. Soon a sort of segregation starts between the church kids and secular kids. When Logan arrives, he is a shy kid, rumored to be gay and that creates all sorts of anxiety amongst everyone. Every adult is going through issues and longings and secrets, including Henry's mother who shares her secret with their daughter. The film just continues with some adults giving up inhibitions and "free-ing" themselves. Towards the end, Henry does realize that Logan's affection and liking for him is not just one-aided and maybe Henry also has feelings for Logan. The film ends with Henry asking Logan for a sleepover and a kiss.
There are some very tender moments in the film and then some wtf scenes too. The whole movie is directed in a way where the focus is on all individuals and I wonder if the idea was to show the suppression that the folks are going through. An adult wanting to drink wine but cant, a daughter wants to go swimming but doesn't because of her over-bearing mother, a disturbed kid Keith (who we don't know much about), Affair of Henry's mother, boosting sexual energies of the kids and the secret glances from Logan to Henry; all these are like watching a French ensemble film. Thankfully every actor does a good enough job of their character. No character is right or wrong, they all have affection and compassion but also confused sometimes because of their beliefs. The pressure to conform to standards. The characters were taught that life was simple. Yes, the focus was not just about exploring Henry's sexuality but it was a major part of it on how he sees everything around him and every small person around him makes him feel. I loved the scene when one of his classmates tells him that she is gay and hints that Henry should have known but soon realize that Henry is not open about himself or has even accepted it.
This film is NOT a simple story about coming out. That is a small part of a bigger picture of complex interactions, difficult life and beliefs. It doesn't resolve any conflict whatsoever, but being gay myself, I was happy to see Henry had hope surrounding him, and he is open to love lurking somewhere very close to him. (6/10)
Comments
Have a nice week-end.