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...
Set in early 80s in Sicily, we are slowly introduced to the two young boys. Gianni is bullied by the locals of his small town for being homosexual an duo one stands up for him except for his mother's quiet support and a girl working at a local bar, who actually is the one responsible of people knowing about this. Suddenly he sees his life change when, after a scooter accident, he meets the captivating and innocent 16-year-old Nino. Nino is from another town, with a very close knit and happy family and works with his father supplies fireworks to all the local festivals and festivities. Nino feels responsible for the accident and through his father helps Gianni get a job. A wonderful friendship unfurls between the two boys; Gianni gets his smile back and starts to envisage a new different life, for himself and for his mother. Since Nino's father's health is not doing too well, The two of them get to spend lot of time together working and just being themselves. The two boys’ friendship has already turned into something else and they don’t feel the need to hide it. The glowing purity of love is obvious. They’re unafraid, in love and they’re happy to be seen together. People start to whisper, and in a shocking turns of betrayal by their respective mothers; the boys are separated by force. The two don't know what hit them but eventually they decide to take on everyone. Tragically, this proves more than dangerous. It proves fatal, with the film ending in a pure love scene ending with two gun shots.
The first thing you notice is the attention to detail in the atmosphere, mood, lighting, summer of the World Cup in 1982, characters, and its subject of supreme prejudice. As an audience you feel transported in that era and you feel you are there watching these characters. The cinematography is a treat, capturing the time and place. It is subtle and strongly hard hitting at the same time, and despite its historical setting, totally relevant with its implied attack on the Italian people, way of life and government. With its depiction of the idyllic love story of the two youths, it makes you stop and think and question your own prejudices. The purity and beauty of the boys’ love is sharply contrasted with the rabid prejudice, ignorance and hate of the locals. For some of us, who have not seen the realities of life form back then, imagining such things happening is almost impossible, but just put yourself in the shoes of those two boys, who actually ended up losing their lives in reality. Coming back to the film, the two actors playing the roles inspired by two real life boys are perfect. Their acting is strong and subtle and they both have that look of pure innocent love. You feel their love, their pain, their friendship, their crackling chemistry; all of it. It's like perfect casting. And as are the supporting roles, especially the mothers. You see how Nino's mother changes from this very loving and welcoming to Gianni to suddenly not wanting a tough life for her son. Apparently the real life murder of these two teens led to creation of the first LGBT support group in Italy. Hopefully things are much different now. As per the makers of the film, the film is aimed at “restoring the dignity of two boys killed by hate and prejudice and whose memory was then buried in indifference.” And I would say that this is such a beautiful tribute. Highly recommended. (9/10)
Comments
Although you and the articles gave a fair warning beforehand, and Estonian traditional cinematography has trained me to watch the disaster-after-bliss scenarios, my eyes are still red. Pass the Kleenex, pls.
It was beyond surprising to read that it's the director's first film. Didn't feel like it at all, especially due to the attention to details as you noticed as well. And I'm extra thankful for not including the ugliest clothes and hairstyles of the 80s. The articles about the film state that some details of the initial story are changed and I liked how purposeful all those changes were. For example the age of the protagonists. If the characters in the film were 25 and 15 like the actual victims, that age difference would have become the main focus instead of the sweet flutter of teenage (first) love. Shifting the time from 1980 to 1982 and FIFA World Cup was also an excellent move to show the prevailing cult of masculinity - nothing gets (an Italian) blood boiling faster than football match of some importance. The contrast between other men of the village and the two boys became even more vivid thanks to that environment of elevated emotions and patriotism.
The director really has a good eye for details, I thought that for quite a few times while watching (thank you for bringing that up in your review :) ). The way he showed hypocrisy by adding small, but noticeable elements is damn Oscar-worthy. The people who express their hatred towards gays either lust after them not very secretly (one of the bullies in the bar), wear rainbow colors in public (Nino's family member) or celebrate the festival of St Sebastian, who's the patron saint of gays (the whole townful of people, for crying out loud). The way he handled the horrid finale was very respectful - not adding any drama or his personal suspicions, just the fact. Two gunshots and darkness. Keeps you thinking for quite a while.