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...
Shane has just graduated from high school and is looking forward to college in Toronto. BUt his plans go for a toss when his sister commits suicide. The mother almost takes to bed in grief, loses her job and the entire family is falling apart. Its fully onto Shane to support them both and find money for repairs. Not only there are lack of financial opportunities but it turns out that he is gay and there is no way that his traditional community will understand and accept it. David, his boyfriend, is also in closet and is unsure about leaving the town to go to Toronto with Shane. To keep up the appearances, Shane has a girlfriend Tara, who is more than happy to go with him. We see how youngsters in this town are struggling. David and Shane fight and come back together often. One such night Tara sees them kissing and is shocked. In a drunken state, she tells that to one other guy who eventually rapes her. Ashamed she also commits suicide. Somehow Shane's mother pushes herself to snap out of her grief when police comes looking for Shane as a suspect. She, together with David's grandmother, decide they will do what's best for the two boys and do everything in their power to make Shane go to college.
David and Shane as a couple were interesting. It was hard to say whether they loved each other or were they in love. I mean, given neither of them knew anyone gay in town, its easier to find comfort in each other. Surely, they cared; but family responsibilities prevent them from thinking about themselves. And this has probably to do with their culture where you just dont abandon family. The film moves at a slow-ish pace but the acting by all principal actors is amazing. Shane is amazing and he looks good too. Portraying the gut-wrenching desperation of what life must be like in a depressed community with no jobs and no hope for betterment is not an easy job to take and do justice to it without being biased. I commend the makers to choose a difficult subject. That said, the film is a bit dark, there is no light moments or even hope for a better future (well, there is; but not really).
I have a feeling this film may not be for everyone. Showing compassion and despair in the aboriginal community in Canada, the film somehow resonated with me at least at some level. It's a sensitive portrayal of people at cross roads with respect to family, ambitions, love, responsibilities and there is no easy option or result irrespective of what they choose. (6/10)
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