Dorian Blues (2005)

Fun movie, well actually, coming out isn't that easy, but this movie bring it up as simple issue, with funny joke, interesting character, and well done actors.I like the acting. But, sometimes I don't really get Dorian's feeling by his language and tone. Somehow, Michael McMillian didn't get into his own character. There is time to laugh and there is time to cry, sometime he didn't get it, make me feel less emotional. Lea Coco and Steve Fletcher really did a great job.I really like the script but I have to say full stereotype of gay man/homosexual. Like perfect brother, muscle, and sport. And the gay one, skinny, didn't like sport, always to blame, never done anything well and always the minor in every parents love (less favorite).Let me make some comparison to some gay coming out theme. "Get Real" (1998) Steven Carter falling in love to John Dixon, school brightest running star while he look like a "nerd" and sometimes get insulted by other student. But, stereotype wasn't an issue here because that differences between them just a story about hard love and actually it wasn't love after all when John Dixon decided to shut up in order to maintain his reputation.Another shot, "Mambo italiano" (2003), this coming gay movie is completely free stereotype. Even Angelo Barberini falling in love with "macho" gay cop and since school he already called gay, and even his father suggested Angelo Barberini to play hockey because it might be cured him, stereotype wasn't much problem here united family more important than what other people think.For me, always interesting to watch gay coming out story. Dorian Blues good enough with 7/10.

Dorian is a young gay man just discovering himself. The story is not unique, the father is hostile to him, the mother afraid to speak out and help her son, the older brother in denial, but there is a twist. Through much introspection Dorian discovers that he is OK just the way he his, that he is not the freakish social outcast his father tells him he is. Step by agonizing step Dorian finds his own true path and while never easy he does prevail.Most independent gay theme movies try hard but never seem to get it all together. This one is different. The story is well written, clear and concise. The images and thematic flow work well and don't show the usual artifacts of a low budget. The actor are all very competent with the exception of the lead Michael McMillian who brings a very special something. Beyond being cuter than a "bug's ear" he has a presence that jumps out of the small screen. His comedic timing is startling for an actor so young. His ability to make you feel the emotions of the character in serious scenes is just as amazing. The strongest single part of this great little movie is the actor that plays Dorian.

It's clear that gay themed films need to be made. For decades the topic was strictly off limits and gay audiences denied any kind of representation on screen. Over the past years the situation has vastly improved with gay movies becoming something of a genre in itself. However gay audiences in their joy at being able to watch stories which may parallel their own lives, have all too often allowed their critical faculties to take a back seat. There's a sense of forgiveness and tolerance towards second rate acting, poor characterisation, weak plots and mediocrity in general. The need to encourage and support the genre overcomes all. The result is a slew of extremely mediocre gay films such as "Broken Heart's Club", "All Over the Guy", "Kiss Me Guido" and "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" receiving a lot of undeserving praise. "Dorian Blues" is no exception. The problem is that first rate director's are seldom drawn towards making predominantly gay films while young aspiring inexperienced gay directors are all too eager to realise their visions. This they do with actors who for the most are ill equipped for the job and scripts unworthy of being made into movies.The inherent emotional upheavals of coming out makes for great drama. Naturally it's a process which has been delineated in a number of films. The feather weight "Dorian's Blues" hardly adds much to the sub genre. ( The British "Get Real" remains one of the best examples). It goes without saying that the movie is well intentioned. But that is not nearly enough. Gay audiences do not only deserve to have gay movies; they deserve good gay movies. Good movies are for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. People will learn and understand a lot more about what it means being gay by watching a well made, well written, well acted film. There's a way to go yet.

After watching Dorian Blues, I checked out the reviews at metacritic.com, and I was in absolute shock at the casual way these "experts" tore down one of the best and most original coming of age/coming out films I've seen. Almost everything about this movie is outstanding, from the acting (I've never seen such totally assured performances from an unknown cast in a low budget indie) to the direction (Bardwell is a talent to watch) to the photography and other technical elements that belie the film's modest origins. Dorian Blues skillfully blends comedy with honest dramatic moments, but what stands out the most is its absolute unpredictability. Whenever you feel the story is moving in an expected direction, something invariably surprising will occur. How could any critic have found it "clichéd?" Kudos to the fine performances by Michael McMillian, Lea Coco, Mo Quigley and especially Charles Fletcher as Dorian's nightmare of a father. My only quibbles I'd like to see a director have the wherewithal to cast an actor in a gay role that passes the gaydar test (good as he was, McMillian didn't for me) and have teenage characters played by actors who are the right age for the parts. I'll forgive him these two transgressions because the final result of Dorian Blues is worth 10 stars, especially when compared to a lot of other gay indies out there.