Dream Boy

Apparently this is based on a novel, so I'm unsure on if I should blame James Bolton (writer) or Jim Grimsley (Novel writer). The film is competently made, but the story lacks so much. The plot is literally a gay teen with a drunk father. That's it. Towards the end a little bit is added but it's such a small part of the film. Could've benefited from a deeper plot and more developed characters, but oh well. Maybe worth a watch if you can see it free.

I liked about one-third of Jim Grimsley's lyrical but fatuous novel upon which this indie is based and about the same percentage of this earnest but unsatisfying adaptation. Director James Bolton seems able to do wonders with young amateur actors but he can't escape the dead-end silliness provided by the novel. We do need to hear more from both Bolton and Max Roeg, though, particularly the latter.

The story is too familiar, but Max Roeg is gorgeous.

the poor man's brokeback mountain.