MovieChat Forums > Tiger Orange Discussion > Surprised

Surprised

posted 10 years ago by cbnspanky2
5 replies | jump to latest

I see ALOT of movies each year. I try to support small movies, but usually by directors that are still pretty well known in the film world. This was a micro budget movie done right. I saw that the LGBT film festival of Durham NC was in town. I told my partner to pick a film and this was it. I wasn't impressed with the trailer but went anyway. By the end I really cared for these brothers. I was completely absorbed in the story telling, and was actually sorry it was over. I know a film this specific will only meet with a small audience due to the gay themes but what a shame. I think most people have disfunction in their families and would relate to many of the situations in some way. I hope more people get to see it. The director should be proud. He and the actors put together a moving film.

[–] matanil 9 years ago

I'll second this, it was better than I expected and I came to really care about the characters. I liked the quiet atmosphere and the nuances. My favorite moment was probably the flashback to the moment when the father gives the brothers their true legacy, their bond.

[–] bardmore 9 years ago

What a waste! This film is little more than an endless series of overplayed confrontations between the two brothers.Todd is undoubtedly one of the most overbearing, obnoxious characters imaginable, and I found it impossible to work up any sympathy for him. Chet is quietly interesting, and his reticence to come to terms with himself was real, but too often his more dramatic scenes ended abruptly without any credible resolution. Overall the film lacked dramatic and emothional tension, which was quite sad considering the potential of the subject matter.

[–] outterspaces 8 years ago

Dude, it isn't supposed to be Breaking Bad. I personally like such little films, especially when they are gay related. I'm happy they are even made to be honest and usually they are made quite well. I've been in so many relationships that didn't make sense. I've met so many gays in my life that they didn't make any sense. They were either high all the time, or drunk, or just plain *beep* up. And that's not a LGBTQ+ trait, we all know that. It's just like. Gay films are simply more low-budget, more European cinema like.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] usnavynuke 8 years ago

I have to admit that I also didn't really like this film much. But for the inverted reasons you mentioned: mainly, I didn't like Chet. He wasn't interesting enough for a film. I familiarized myself with Todd, minus all of the camp. I felt bad that their relationship, as brothers, basically shaped itself after Todd was caught with his brother's gay nude mag as a child, making him the scapegoat for the rest of his life. No wonder he ended up a lost soul, searching forever for acceptance from so many lovers and sexual encounters. His brother, the one person who should protect him eternally, let his own little brother take the blame, and never told the truth to his father.

And let's get to the final 20 minutes or so, when Chet decides that the town is right - send little bro packing because he's upsetting the status quo. I wanted to punch Chet so much.

And lastly, what was up with the Christmas scene where Chet finally kisses Brandon? I mean, yay, I'm glad it happened! But, did it really happen? This scene takes place in the center of two halves of ONE scene - when they're letting their dad's ashes go. Was this like, a preview of the future, or a dream, or just a thought in the head of Chet? Confusing.