Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
The film starts with barely 20-something Jared checking into a gay conversion therapy program with his mother Nancy. His father, Marshall, is a priest in Arkansas who constantly reminds his congregation that they are all imperfect people and that only faith can make them whole. Through a series of flashbacks, we get to understand how does Jared reach here. He had a girlfriend but was never really sure of his sexuality. We get to see 2 different encounters:one in which he is raped by a classmate one night in college dorm and the other in which he spends a night with another boy just holding hands and doing nothing more. An anonymous phone call from the college, force Jared to be out and confront his sexuality. On his father's insistence, he agrees to want to change and enroll in the gay conversion therapy program not knowing anything about it. Once inside the program, Jared realizes what exactly is going on. He tries his best to fit it but eventually gives up feeling more comfortable about who he is. Thankfully he gets full support from his mother, who so far was just obeying wishes of his father. Jared leaves home and moves to NY and becomes a famous writer, educating people about his experiences in the conversion therapy program. 4 years pass and his relationship with his dad has not changed. The final scenes show an attempt by both individuals in taking that extra step to resolve the hard relationship that they share.
This film may not be everyone's cup of tea but then this is a very important film. It is slow and hence needs a patient viewing. Russel Crowe does a good job as a conservative but soft-edged father, who is asked to question his bigoted values at last. Nicole Kidman fits well as the supportive mother. The scene stealer is of course Jared, showing so well of all the complications going on inside him. Scenes in the conversion facility are also surprisingly textured and quite detailed. They are restrained but still make your blood boil as audience but not disrespectful. The kids respond in very different ways — some trying to fall in line, others resisting at moments, still others keeping their own counsel — and this seems truthful. But the script fails to give more context to these other members in the camp who would have added more substance. I guess based on the statistics shown at the end credits, the idea is to put an end to such kind of therapy but that will only happen if concerned parents can be convinced that it does more harm than good. And that's why the scenes between Jared and his parents are even more important.
It is scary what we do to ourselves and our families. This is a dramatization of a real life horror. While left a bit on the surface, the eventual transformation of Nancy and Marshall is what sets this film apart. Be patient and watch the film because it has something very important to say. (7.5/10)
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