MovieChat Forums > Geography Club (2014) Discussion > So here's the thing...

So here's the thing...

posted 10 years ago by PepperAnn1310
6 replies | jump to latest

...I liked this movie. Yes, it was fairly good for an independent teen movie.

However, I have a few bones to pick with the character and story lines.

First: There was really no character development around any of the characters, except Russell. Yes I understand that he was the main character but what about Kevin. There's no real backstory there. How long had they been talking online? Did they have an actual relationship outside of school. Kevin got Russell on the football team so they could hang out but we only see them kiss once or twice in the movie. And we never see Kevin unless he's there to make out with Russell.

Second: Kevin's parents and the whole dinner scene. I didn't get the point of that at all. I thought it might lead to something more between the Russell and Kevin or Kevin's coming out but it didn't. And why did they have to mention that Kevin's uncle is gay if they were never going to follow up on that?

Third: Where are Russell's parents? Russell was so concerned with coming out because of his fathers expectations for him but we never see his father. Not once. I guess we're supposed to sympathize with Russell on this one which I do but I would have also liked to see the reality of his situation and his struggle with coming out.

Fourth: They made Russell seem like he was so torn about coming out and was afraid or something. But I didn't get that. I understand that he wanted to keep his sexuality a secret but I feel like that was all for Kevin's sake. Russell didn't really seem to have much of a struggle with his sexuality and was only hiding hiding because of a boy he liked.

"But I always say, one's company, two's a crowd, and three's a party."-Andy Warhol

[–] aniikas 10 years ago

As far as Kevin's story I think it was more to show that it's not always the external forces holding people back. Sometimes it's internal struggle holding people back from who they truly are.

Kevin's uncle being mentioned was just to show that his parents didn't care if someone was gay and to bring out Kevin's real problem of not wanting to be gay himself instead of it being like the girl who came out and got kicked out.

[–] blindvias-071407 10 years ago

I agree there were holes.

Frankly, for a young man like Russell, Kevin would have been the top priority in his head and heart. That's how it works when you are young and you find love.

So for me, Kevin spent too much time in the background and his lack of character development was a flaw in the movie. Russell spent all this time with Gunnar and these blond chicks, the lesbian friends, etc. and not nearly enough time having dialogue with Kevin. Kevin's role did not have nearly as much depth as it should have, and as a result some of his scenes came across a little bit disconnected.

Perhaps there were too many characters with too many stories to tell. I think the movie should have realized the nature of the audience that we care more about Kevin's story then we were given, and not so much about others'.

[–] LostParadiseFilms1 10 years ago

I really enjoyed the film for the most part, but I agree that Kevin and the relationship between Russel and Kevin were both too underdeveloped aspects that left me unsatisfied. If they had trimmed back a bit on the Gunner and the two blonde chicks aspect, and really focused more on Russel and Kevin getting to know each other, it would have made the ending where Kevin chooses remaining in the closet over being with Russel even more sad, and a truly big deal in both of their lives. I felt like, if we Kevin a little better, it would have made his walking away more gutwrenching to watch. The way it's presented, however, this feels like it's just Russel's story, and Kevin was just some closeted guy he fixated on. Other moments in the film-- like when Kevin picks Russel up after leaving Gunner and the girls--give me the feeling that Kevin is intended to be much more than "just some guy" in Russel's life.

All in all, however, I found the film funny, engaging, and well acted. I'd definitely reccomend it to anyone.

[–] AnotherCineFan 10 years ago

Those are all interesting points. I found myself "uplifted" at the end of the film because of the silly little "Baby Care" sequence. We don't know if Russell ever sees Kevin again, if Kevin changes, if Russell ever talks to his Dad about being gay before going to Yale - all we know is that Russell and his BFF (The John Candy look-a-like, Andrew Caldwell) made a cute video with a doll. And that makes us happy, and the movie ends, and we come to IMDb to find out more about Cameron Deane Stewart. Woof!

[–] snoho 10 years ago

When the movie finished I really thought to myself, "that was it?". The entire story has been told time and time again. It felt as if half the movie was missing.

[–] skyhawk0 8 years ago

I had most of the same issues, but also still liked it. It just could have been more.

That said, Kevin's gay uncle was followed up on. Russell brings it up in mentioning that Kevin's parents would be supportive.

A few other gaps:

A teacher suspended for talking about gay students is suddenly sponsoring a GSA.

It was a gay support group in the flyers, but it's a GSA on the door. If a GSA, the idea that "if you go in there, everyone will know" doesn't work.

The school and community are supposed to be homophobic but everyone's on board with the 'gay dads' video. The idea they'd made a start with the GSA was great, but what, days later, everything's changed?

All roads lead to truth if you're willing to travel honestly.