gently subversive "Almost Normal"

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 12:37pm

Anyone see this little cheap indie? It's more provocative than its logline reveals. It's the old hoary device of a head injury giving you back to the future-styled experinces. Here,a 40 year old man exhausted and ambivalent about his gay identity returns to his high school/home town in his dream/"trip" and discovers that everything is the odd reverse, sexually: normal are gays, and marginalized are the few straight people. It even manages to explain how children are conceived and raised rather cleverly in a homo-centric universe.

Despite the clumsy set-up,once the creation of this alternative universe kicks in, it's compelling: the high school environment is the same, with star athletes and cheerleaders ruling ... but boys must shower with girls after gym class to avoid sexual contact, parents gently push same-sex couples together, straight kids are taunted and must sneak off to underground cruising spots or "straight bars," only to emerge and be "straight bashed." Sounds heavy-handed, but mostly it's surprslingly fresh. And it has a dangerous and fairly daring 3rd act twist that pays off the entire premise.

Shouldn't be oversold. This is no major investigation of the subj matter, but it's thought-out and works within its own limitations. And it does stop rather than ends. It's worth a look. LOGO is showing it now and then; I stumbled upon it, 15 minutes in. Check it out.

Updated On: 2/28/07 at 12:37 PM

[DG]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 4:30pm

I saw this, and agree completely with the assessment. One of those ones that I wish had had some money behind it to see where further development might have taken it.

And I have to admit, I'm so much of a sap that I liked the ending.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 5:16pm

DG, I missed the first 15 minutes, which may explain my feelings about the ending. (And I hate the way LOGO rushes the credits crawl on screen right. Never is a fade out a fade out.)

I noticed it's being sold on Amazon, the DVD. But it looks like it was a direct to vid/dvd enterprise. Anyone know? Yes, it could've almost been a contender of sorts; it's that fresh.

[cturtle]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 9:18pm

the scenes between the two high school boys are super sweet :) for a few clips, take a look at A KISS IS JUST A KISS 4 on the-website-that-dare-not-speak-its-name.