MovieChat Forums > Dare (2011) Discussion > This'll sound weird, but...

This'll sound weird, but...

posted 14 years ago by civildiscussion7
18 replies | jump to latest

This'll sound weird, but watching this was like watching a kind of emotional horror movie. Does anyone know what i mean, lol?

It was horrifying to see the "good" characters turn "evil" in a sense, and for Johnny (a guy I first saw as a typical go-along-get-along popular kid taking advantage of the H.S. theatre rejects) fall "prey" to their sticky spiderweb of friendship (or the promise of human connection and love--emotional and romantic).

I agree with the reviewer--I watched the first quarter thinking it was a typical teen drama, but it definitely became more than I was expecting. That's probably the best thing I could admit. The film's got a quality. I was genuinely worried for them all.

It may not be to everyone's liking, but I'd recommend people give it a look.

[–] thory-1 14 years ago

vague spoilers...

I was kind of surprised at how the homosexual male was portrayed(sorry i'm terrible with names). They made him appear almost like a sexual savage in a way almost a borderline rapist. Without giving away major spoilers, it's a clear example of give and take, and what too much trust can result in.

Also, this film left me asking one question....did psychiatrist mom realize what was going on when the popular boy is introduced by her loner son? The night before he had his "first kiss" and he was giddy as a school girl. I just wish I could understand how the mom was viewing the situation, up until she essentially nurtured the popular boy and dropped him off at the doctor.

Good film though....much resemblance to mysteries of pittsburgh

[–] Violet_Loves_Iliona 14 years ago

Yes, I definitely think that the mother knew exactly what was going on, as she also knew who his therapist was. She was a very clued-in and progressive mother, and I think she decided she would give her son the space and chance to explore himself without interfering, but while being supportive and embracing, too.

Violet

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[–] noveltylibrary 14 years ago

That's funny, I got that she was clueless.

[–] llekel 11 years ago

Im trying to remember correctly, because the mom says "this is the johnny drake"

I thought Ben told his mom who Johnny was the day before when he said something about alexa being a whore

[–] fiyero47 14 years ago

I don't think calling the film an "emotion horror movie" sounds weird at all. It's actually pretty accurate. I didn't see it myself while watching, but your points are all completely true. It turns the conventions of such films as 'She's All That', where the unpopular girl is "taken advantage of", completely on their ear. For once it's the theater kids who mislead the poor lonely popular boy into thinking they truly care about him.

God, this movie just broke my heart.

[–] alias4747 14 years ago

I didn't find it horrifying, I found the entire premise and ending a bit too stereotypically convenient. The bad guy finds himself, i.e. his passion for acting after being a lost and friendless loner at the price of his compadres losing out on achieving their own dreams. What kind of message was the screenwriter attempting? That people can't control their own destinies?

[–] TheCrazyInside 14 years ago

I found Johnny's character heartbreaking. When he breaks down in the bedroom when Ben and Alexa are telling him they can't all be a family, I just wanted to hug him. I felt so bad and Zack Gilford played it so well. I really believed he was hurt. It was the best part of the movie in my opinion. For that moment I was just like "wow, poor baby".

See like Adam & Eve tragedy was our destiny Like Sonny & Cher I don't care I got you baby

[–] weirdpunk10 14 years ago

I agree. I felt like yelling at Alexa and Ben, telling them to hug him. I was really hoping the he would find that comfort in them and them return it.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] felicityzoe 11 years ago

Well..I think "they" are telling us that threesomes are bad. At least, American ones...or in American cinema.

[–] edelwais 13 years ago

@alias4747, @TheCrazyInside and @weirdpunk10

It seems to me all of you are missing the very simple main story of this movie: Allen Cumming told Alexa in the beginning that she couldn't be an actress if she hasn't known true pain. So she decides to explore sex with Johnny "on a dare" to herself. In the end, it is Johnny who is trully hurt and this allows him to be an actor. Whereas Alexa was just dipping her toes in sex and not really feeling emotionally connected to Johnny, he trully gave himself to both of them. Only if one has been hurt so deeply, can he portray similar depth of emotion on stage. And Allen Cumming saw this depth in Johnny in the very beginning.

[–] theprovinces-1 12 years ago

@edelwais

Very well put and I think you grasped the film perfectly.

I was confused by the ending -- I was wondering if Johnny had been acting all along -- but your recap seems to make perfect sense to me.

Thanks!

[–] llekel 11 years ago

that makes so much sense!

Im actually satisfied with the ending now

[–] instantfly 10 years ago

Exact and well put. However the scene at the end was a " Jokes on You " moment for Johnny as the camera showed the title on the stage door. He must have known thru his session with 'sandra b ' what the two theatre clowns were trying to pull on him. Simple and true.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Skunky_Beaumont 13 years ago

I also found Johnny's character heartbreaking; It was so crazy to find out that he all that extra baggage going on with him. I could actually relate his character in a way, except my parents are around. But the fact he was terribly lonely and wanting to so badly to be cared about was just so sad....I've kinda gone through that before

[–] wayne-pyle 13 years ago

Hi, everyone. I played Ben Berger's dad, Alan, in the film and I find your comments really interesting. I'm glad that DARE was more than a teen drama for you. The title kind of says it all. Remember "daring" someone to do something and that sense of unease and excitement you had when you tried to do it or were unable to? I think that kind of captures the feeling of the film for me. I really enjoyed working on it with Adam Salky, David Brind, Emmy Rossum, Ana Gasteyer and everyone in the cast and I'm enjoying the discussion as well.

Look out for Peace, Love and Misunderstanding with Catherine Keener at the Toronto Film Festival. I also worked on Liza Johnson's RETURN with Linda Cardellini, John Slattery and Michael Shannon. Should be a good one to check out! Keep me posted everyone!!! Cheers, Wayne

Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out. Martin Scorsese http://imdb.me/waynepyle