This movie takes place in modern times, in Canada. That alone should make this extreme tragedy about homphobia seem out of place in time and location. The film also goes out of its way to retain that bleak outlook regardless of the support and love of so many people surrounding the main character.
Tim is a loner who spends all his time with his co-loner, Francis. They go through life together, but once the school bullies throw the word "fag" around, Tim abandons his friend at the first chance, leading to dire consequences straight out of the 1990's. What does Tim do with all this tragedy? He decides to win the big race. Seems like an appropriate response to what happened to his best and only friend. All goes well until the word "fag" comes around again, and really dire consequences occur that leave you with your mouth open.
Can anyone be happy or turn happy if you're young and gay in a small town? The answer is NO. To anyone interested in making a movie about young, gay people, let your characters be happy. We have enough movies about gay misery and death already. People count on you filmmakers to show another way. You aren't journalists. You don't have to reflect the misery of the world because you can make it better through imagination. Enough with these movies about how young, gay kids will never escape their shame. Show them that it is indeed possible and that you can be a happier person for it. That's what is needed, and that's what the character Tim and his friend Francis needed early on in this movie. Some compassion on the part of the filmmaker.
Tim is a loner who spends all his time with his co-loner, Francis. They go through life together, but once the school bullies throw the word "fag" around, Tim abandons his friend at the first chance, leading to dire consequences straight out of the 1990's. What does Tim do with all this tragedy? He decides to win the big race. Seems like an appropriate response to what happened to his best and only friend. All goes well until the word "fag" comes around again, and really dire consequences occur that leave you with your mouth open.
Can anyone be happy or turn happy if you're young and gay in a small town? The answer is NO. To anyone interested in making a movie about young, gay people, let your characters be happy. We have enough movies about gay misery and death already. People count on you filmmakers to show another way. You aren't journalists. You don't have to reflect the misery of the world because you can make it better through imagination. Enough with these movies about how young, gay kids will never escape their shame. Show them that it is indeed possible and that you can be a happier person for it. That's what is needed, and that's what the character Tim and his friend Francis needed early on in this movie. Some compassion on the part of the filmmaker.