Those two actors/characters could have been used better in a movie where the main focus would be on their relationship. Such a waste that it started out so late in the film and that it was over with at a time that could have been a great beginning.
I agree, they should have explored that more. I really enjoyed the movie, but those two characters seemed the strongest to me. Along with the relationship with George's sister, that was really intriguing too.
share**SPOILERS*
I definitely agree...Brian J. Smith and Benjamin Walker were very good.
I'll have to say though, I found it 'refreshing' that their coming out WASN'T the main plot but rather treated more like any other relationship. Even dad didn't care his son was gay, he just wanted him to pick someone else. But there were just too many stories going on. As you said, only the gay storyline held interest.
The premise of the stealing of the truck causing deaths is very powerful. But even more so, the brother and sister's relationship was poignant, the love story between Victor Rasuk and Micaela Nevarez was also interesting with the different backgrounds of the characters. There just wasn't any development, maybe due to budget or writing a script based on a play, of fleshing out the characters.
Even David and George seemed to waver in their feelings for each other and not just trying to hide their feelings...rather they just didn't seem interested until the 'ass' scene. :) Peter Gallagher did very well with another character who's personality seemed to change with each scene.
But it was definitely not a bad movie. An above average film with some really good actors. And the love scenes...I wouldn't call them sex scenes were very well done.
On a side note - I was reading about Victor Rasuk and he broke a rib for another film training to be a surfer. Wikipedia said Victor is a 'Method Actor' and wants to be as real as possible. So, I'm wondering about under the table...:)