Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
We are 7 years later. Lucas and Maurice have never seen each other again and have no contact since the tragic events of the BIZARRE cabaret in New York. Lucas (is he a trans person? I am not sure since it is never clarified or maybe he is gender fluid) now lives in Denver, Colorado. He is married to a slightly older man who is the father of a 16-year-old child. One night Maurice just visits Lucas and sadly a shocking incident happens the same night. John/Lucas' son Marlon has just stabbed two black guys one of whom has died and they are now in shock. While John is sleeping, Lucas calls Maurice and in the dark of night, runs away with Marlon with Maurice's help. The next one and a half hour is about how these three are running away, while John hires a lawyer and makes a plea to his husband and son to come back home. During this road trip, they meet eccentric folks, Maurice and Lucas sort of rekindle their romance. They come up with unique ideas to steal money and clothes to sustain. But towards the end when someone recognizes them, a guy kidnaps Marlon, to likely hand him to the police, but in an attempt to save the kid, Maurice ends up killing the teenager. The film ends in a bizarre way with Maurice and Lucas running away from cops.
This French production filmed in USA road trip follows from Denver towards SanFrancisco through the American West. Its like the first film showed us New York ad this time, its western America. The only redeeming thing about this film is the gorgeous locations and landscapes. The film itself makes little sense. Why would Lucas just run away with John's run to save him without telling John. Sure Marlon was bullied but that doesn't give him the right to kill. Plus what kind of example is being set for the kid with stealing of food and clothes and money. The lead characters have red flags written all over them throughout the film. Their actions make little to no sense at all. I guess at some point the makers were trying to address the issue of Black Lives Matter but in my opinion, they took the total opposite route to prove their point. The original film managed to convey the frenzied nightlife of New York albeit without a coherent story. Unfortunately Bizarre Again has an even less coherent story, and I am schooled they were able to get funding to make the film. Regular seems from first movie are also shown where we see a super young Maurice and how beautifully he has grown into a man. Lucas was meh and a very irrational and illogical person. As actors they did ok, but what can they do when the screenplay itself is problematic. (2.5/10)
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