Since the beginning of the 21st century there has been an abundance of independent Gay/Queer films. For the first time in film history this has been able to happen due to many complex reasons that I will not go into here. This is a good thing, but the bad thing is that most Gay men outside of film festivals do not get to see them. DVD has helped distribution, but if you are living in homophobic countries this can be of no help. At the limit men in these countries can ( not everywhere ) have access to male on male pornography. That is like living on Pizza when what you need is a nourishing, fulfilling meal. Gay/Queer film can be nourishing and give hope. I decided to choose 15 or 20 at random and to see what they had to offer to those privileged enough to have access to them in a world that basically ( famous critics, usually male take note ) does not give a toss if they exist or not. End of sermon.
I began with ' The One '. It had been solitary on the shelves for too long. I can understand having read the other reviews why it has caused quite a bit of confusion, and without giving spoilers on content I consider it has a lot to say about confusion in sexual relationships. The direction was good, and I did not think either of the male actors were planks of wood. Both gave decent performances, and the ending for me was disappointing. This is a subjective view as I would have liked another ending, and ideally the film could have lasted a half hour longer. The complexities were rushed too much towards a conclusion that I can see was frustrating to some and that includes me. So why was I unhappy about it ? The film hinges on the ' love ' ( debatable ) between two mature, intelligent men and a good extra half hour could have thrashed out a bit more the cowardice and romantic lies that led to the final scene. Also Gay men need happier endings and I think these two male characters in another scenario could have given one. Mainstream Gay film ( not always ) tend towards the sad ending and they get good reviews. The reasons ( political and social ) seem more at ease with crocodile tears endings for the sadder approach. A kind of ' well, it had to happen like that given it was two people of the same sex '. Independent film is freer to choose and of course sad endings can happen in them as well, but they are not quite so obligatory. They can also show what really happens in sex between men which mainstream films shy away from. That leads to another disappointment in ' The One ', and that is the rather unconvincing physicality between the two male leads. Hot on emotion they were less hot on what cements a rounded romantic/sexual encounter. Is this the fault of a tepid approach by the director or the hide the penis approach of the actors. It is not that I particularly want to see what the male has between his legs, but it is kind of basic between two men, plus the freedom of independent film to not be so coy. To sum up: the film is well made, good acting but it needed more flesh as it were on the scenario towards the end and please male actors loosen up a bit more in a film that involves more realistic love/sex making. Reading again the other reviews I can see why it satisfied some and why it disappointed others. At least the film opened up discussion and in the good light of that it succeeds despite the fact I was on the disappointed side.
Review of The One
