Change Your Image
cribscythe
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Departure (2015)
An uninspired, convoluted waste of time with detached dialogue and robotic characters.
Have you ever watched a film and ended up frustrated to see that nothing in the characters' lives significantly changes by the climax?
I'll cut to the chase, short and sweet: Departure is depressing, but not in a moving, atmospheric sort of way. It's not an accomplishment. It's sad in the same abstract way as a low-resolution image of a ham sandwich in a dim room or a bowl of cereal without enough milk.
It's a complete failure of executing a simple idea, feeling simultaneously anxiety-inducing and bland; following the dialogue is a nightmare, almost hilariously so, and I am still uncertain whether awkward, nonsensical conversations are intended as surrealism or simply bad writers doing what they do best. It's almost as if the characters simply cannot hear each other speak and go off on spontaneous tangents about nothing.
I found none of the characters engaging or even deserving of sympathy, and the relationship between the two main boys is forced and anticlimactic, never quite reaching any sort of pivotal point.
Stoic, unimpressive acting, depressing atmosphere, and zero progression after nearly two hours of material. I'd rather slap myself than watch this again.
Beautiful Thing (1996)
Good and sweet, but nothing out of the ordinary as a film
"Beautiful Thing" is an forthright look into the lives of two average young boys and their harsh life behind closed doors, giving us a modest story without romantic clichés or gimmicks.
I was thoroughly prepared to like this film a lot, due to how many recommendations I've had from those who knew I favored practical and romantic films like "My Beautiful Laundrette". I only just now finished "Beautiful Thing," and it seems the only words I can think to describe it best are "somewhat good/mostly OK." I had a good time watching it, and thought it was sweet and well-done, though there isn't much that stood out to me when standing back to look at the film from afar.
I think one of the things that seemed the most lackluster is that I didn't feel satisfied with the amount of romance or tension between the lead two boys, which made it hard for me to be genuinely invested in how their futures did or didn't intertwine. I remember only one or two truly romantic moments between them where their desire for each other was imminent, one of them happening before the credits roll.
I think that may be partially because both of the lead characters are really quite bland, both in writing and acting, and it becomes overwhelmingly apparent when they're in a scene together. I don't see them having a "good time" together long-term, and to see chemistry or sparks you've got to squint a little.
I also found that the dialogue between characters was often hard to read due to the fact none of them seemed like they had really been "figured out", thus making relationship dynamic between characters hard to interpret. I wasn't able to figure out what they intended some of the characters to be and their purpose in the film. I'd give the writing a bigger score than the way the film interpreted it(as I'd most likely get a lot more pleasure out of reading a screenplay for this one.)
As another reviewer mentioned, there are a few side plots that are nothing short of puzzling in their irrelevant, continuous appearances - but what's worse is that they don't even get proper endings. I think we can credit that to an overuse of comedic relief, which makes me think I might have liked this film a lot better if it were simply drama/romance.
"Beautiful Thing" does have an ending that is spectacularly sweet and homely, which is something unusual to find in films of this sort. It seemed genuine and valuable and it fit the rest of the film's upbeat undertones, tying it together happily with some more of its charming silliness - this is one of the films that make the audience inspired, that make them want to fall in love.
In retrospect, most of the things I dislike about the film are things they didn't do at all rather than what they did wrong. I don't think "Beautiful Thing" is poor in any sense of the word - it just isn't anything particularly special to me either. I'd recommend this to someone looking for a casual, sweet film about two boys who fall in love.
My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
Beautiful, smart and romantic, a classic with so much to say
"My Beautiful Laundrette" is most commonly advertised as a drama and comedy, though the richly symbolic romantic aspect between the main two boys is what quietly takes the show. I have never seen a relationship in film that comes close to the classic, inspiring, well-known pair of Johnny and Omar.
Johnny, who seemingly takes the lead in their sexual and romantic relationship, is a white, rough-and-tumble street punk caught up in a small gang and going nowhere. Omar is a bright-eyed, handsome Pakistani boy who takes care of his father, and when a taste of work comes his way, wants nothing more than "big money" and to prove the country he lives in will not beat him. Johnny's lust and love for Omar is apparent from the start, and in a handsomely unique and unpredictable fashion, their business relationship is reversed on terms of who leads who, providing an interesting dynamic between them.
Omar's warm, eager demeanor and Johnny's quiet, sideways glances tell the audience about the previous foundation of their past relationship within the first twenty seconds of their meeting. I couldn't imagine that sort of raw, unspoken integrity ever being so successfully accomplished without these two actors and the fantastic chemistry between their characters.
Johnny's absolute loyalty to Omar is heartwarming, promising, and honest. He wants nothing more than to prove his love and partnership with everything he has, and he offers it all - his work, his love, and sex. Omar reciprocates his love with forgiveness and, despite being the boss in their business relationship, his consistent admiration toward Johnny is apparent, deep and romantic. He changes into a more confident and proud man with Johnny by his side.
Daniel Day-Lewis(Johnny) and Gordon Warnecke(Omar)'s performances were, I will say once more, just spectacular. I have never seen any bit of film quite as passionate, honest nor as erotic as the scene where Johnny and Omar make love. I've been inspired by seeing the tenderness and moving passion of both their love and general partnership - their compatibility is demonstrated by their determination to stay together, despite what happens in the midst of the insanity the film provides.
I will say that it is also very real, however, and therefore it does have its rough moments and ups and downs like any relationship between two people should. I won't say too much aside from that I thought the ending was sweet and it took me by surprise, not bothering with a few loose ties if only to inspire lovely ambiguity.
There is much more to "My Beautiful Laundrette" than Johnny and Omar's romantic relationship, but the symbolism it serves - as representing the hopeful future, their business, how the world sees them - relates to all aspects of the film. Daniel Day-Lewis and Gordon Warnecke's performances alone are enough of a reason to give it a watch.
If you'd like to see a smart, witty, beautiful love story rich in symbolism and more substance than a single review could do justice for, I'd recommend you do yourself a favor by watching "My Beautiful Laundrette."
Edge of Seventeen (1998)
Lackluster, but may be relatable or at least enjoyable for some young gay men.
I was very prepared to like this movie a lot, given all the raving reviews. I left the film feeling like I'd eavesdropped on several gay teenagers gossiping about sex.
Eric's irrelevant friendship and oddly specific boy drama in his personal life dominate the screen rather than addressing the finding and accepting of sexuality in a coming-of-age. I saw no redeeming qualities nor realism in the boys' relationship. It was an entire film's worth of meaningless, cheesy scenes between these two boys who hardly even knew each other, absent of chemistry, sentimentality or even friendship. I found it hard to imagine why they liked one another, and even harder to like either myself.
Eric is used for sexual pleasure by numerous other boys, made fun of by the kids at school and loses his best friend. He's provided absolutely no glimmer of hope by the end; no silver lining, no promise that he finds contentment in himself or acceptance in his peers and family.
Chris Stafford and Andersen Gabrych's performances were lackluster, unconvincing, and amateur, failing to save an already-sinking ship.
I'm giving Edge of Seventeen four stars because I think young gay men may feel at least somewhat represented in their struggles, and I believe that is still important to consider. It isn't, by any means, a worthwhile movie if you're out of the rampantly hormonal age.