The Age of Commercialism

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Healing? Yes, if a situation develops that will make you think about yourself, because this film is all about L-O-V-E. Two males together? Watch such a movie? Hated the thought. Until I watched THIS film.With other things going on in my life, I said "why not?" I bought the DVD, and even before the great ending, had learned a lot. About MYSELF. And unfortunately, many years too late.No, this is not the usual review, of how great the movie was made, the acting, blahblahblah. More than that. I have watched thousands of movies. Nice entertainment, that's fine. Not THIS time.You need to know, this film changed my life. When I posted this review several days ago, if asked "are you gay," my answer WAS "I still don't know for sure, so I'd have to say 'I don't know." NOT any more.However, this wonderful film got me thinking. I watched it AGAIN. And suddenly, I recognized MYSELF as a kid, like Sieger, with a crush on another boy. Sieg's confusion reminded me of my own, way back when. But I was not like him. I was traumatized by a rapist as a kid, and unable to establish my sexual identity when I should have, many years ago. Finally free of bad memories, and faced with a choice between homosexual feelings or a continued heterosexual lifestyle, I am finally surrendering to my feelings, and someday will find a guy to love. :-)Maybe you should see it, too, dude. Especially if you are still hurting yourself, like I was. STOP NOW.

Boys is a well crafted, good looking film (full of good looking boys...Surprise!) that takes a realistic look at first love. But though Boys is completely pleasant to watch it's not memorable. Once the film was over I had a very difficult time remembering much about it other than the look of the film and that the music was nice (though also not memorable). The film is not a MUST SEE. If you can't locate it you're really not missing anything. One of the nicest things about Boys is it doesn't feel exploitative of the young men in the film. Yes, there are a lot of shots of good looking boys (Surprise!) racing and swimming, but unlike some queer coming of age films Boys never makes you feel like a dirty old voyeur lurking in the bushes. Boys is also nudity and sex free which makes it a great option for situations where nakedness might not be best to have on the screen.(Boys is another queer film that once again made me wonder: If this film had been made with unattractive or even plainly realistic boys in the lead would it still have the same impact on people?)

Boys is a 2014 Dutch (with English subtitles) made for TV film, starring Gijs Blom in the lead as Sieger and Ko Zandvllet as his love interest, Marc. It is set in the countryside and the cinematography is beautifully done. The storyline maybe tame by American standards but is solid and believable. Sieger is discovering his sexuality amidst dealing with the loss of his mother, over protective father and a rebellious older brother. Marc, confident and free spirited, is comfortable with his gayness and pursues a friendship with Sieger. The two are in training for the big upcoming track relay race. As the story unfolds we see the romance develop between the youths. This is a wholesome, romantic, first love story that will be enjoyed by most. Mischa Kamp's work succeeds without resorting to the typical and tired formula of sex and drugs. This is a great film, for teens and their parents to watch together.

I very carefully did NOT put spoilers in this review, although I wanted to, but I checked the spoiler alert anyway because some reader might be able to guess the ending just from my attitude. If you're extremely sensitive, don't read any farther. Otherwise, you're very welcome to spend a few minutes in my world.Obviously others who have seen this movie enjoyed it. I found it almost unbearably frustrating.It's yet another coming out movie, which is bad enough, with all the standard violence, homophobia, angst, blown opportunities and cowardly betrayals of the one who least deserves it. It got to be too much - way, WAY too much.One screw-up after another after another, relentlessly, endlessly, as if the comer-out was trying very, very hard to do absolutely EVERYTHING as badly as possible. After what seemed like five hours of the same crap I wanted to punch the jerk myself.No gay person in real life can be that stupid AND that afraid AND that cowardly AND that selfish. Gay men are stronger than straight men are, not weaker - we HAVE to be! - and persisting in making movies that make us look like self-centered cowards is inexcusable. If there actually are gay males like that lurking somewhere in the Netherlands countryside, their despicable behavior should not be celebrated on film.But what makes this movie even worse than the typical coming-out movie is its infuriating ending, about which I will say no more. I hated it. I checked two stars, but I realize it doesn't deserve even one.