Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Dorathen
Better Late Then Never
Solidrariol
Am I Missing Something?
Silitonga
Fun movie, well actually, coming out isn't that easy, but this movie bring it up as simple issue, with funny joke, interesting character, and well done actors.I like the acting. But, sometimes I don't really get Dorian's feeling by his language and tone. Somehow, Michael McMillian didn't get into his own character. There is time to laugh and there is time to cry, sometime he didn't get it, make me feel less emotional. Lea Coco and Steve Fletcher really did a great job.I really like the script but I have to say full stereotype of gay man/homosexual. Like perfect brother, muscle, and sport. And the gay one, skinny, didn't like sport, always to blame, never done anything well and always the minor in every parents love (less favorite).Let me make some comparison to some gay coming out theme. "Get Real" (1998) Steven Carter falling in love to John Dixon, school brightest running star while he look like a "nerd" and sometimes get insulted by other student. But, stereotype wasn't an issue here because that differences between them just a story about hard love and actually it wasn't love after all when John Dixon decided to shut up in order to maintain his reputation.Another shot, "Mambo italiano" (2003), this coming gay movie is completely free stereotype. Even Angelo Barberini falling in love with "macho" gay cop and since school he already called gay, and even his father suggested Angelo Barberini to play hockey because it might be cured him, stereotype wasn't much problem here united family more important than what other people think.For me, always interesting to watch gay coming out story. Dorian Blues good enough with 7/10.
Bayamon_Hill
This film benefits from really good acting and a strong, if familiar, storyline. Dorian is the stereotypical odd man out in his suburban town, the butt of schoolmates' harassment and his father's vitriol. It all seems so unintelligible until Dorian realizes he's gay. The one aspect of this film that is unique and wonderful is the relationship Dorian has with his straight, Daddy's favorite, brother, Nick. Instead of an oppositional dynamic, the movie sets them up as confidants and allies. The drawback to this film is that as Dorian becomes more comfortable in his homosexuality, he confuses arrogance for confidence. Dorian becomes less likable as the movie progresses. I also think the resolution of the film's greatest tension, the relationship between Dorian and his dad, was a let down. I think it is a testament to how much America has progressed that a movie about a kid coming out, meeting with criticism and hatred from his family, moving away to the big city, and finding peace when mean Daddy dies, seems so old-fashioned. Watch the movie for the historical curiosity of where gay culture was at in 2004.
MooreaMaguire
The film captures some of the experiences that can be part of people's coming out: arrival at the point where you just don't care what other people think of you anymore; falling for the first mature gay person you meet who treats you as a human being (his therapist); temporarily going back into the closet, only to change your mind; the internalized homophobia of going out of your way to appear straight; sleeping with someone you're not terribly attracted to just because they're the only person you know of who's available and gay; the interactive relationship between the honesty that impels you to come out as gay and the honesty in other compartments of your life; family members not wanting to listen to you or to take your sexual orientation seriously (his dad); family members wanting you to hide and deny your sexual orientation (his brother); family members initially freaking out but gradually changing their attitude (his brother); family members wanting to have a relationship with you but trying to avoid the gay part of your life (his brother); the fact that coming out is a long process that keeps coming back to you, not a confession that lasts as long as it takes you to tell people you're gay. The 3-dimensional characters were Dorian, his brother, his first boyfriend, his dad (though exaggerated in the service of satire), and his oblivious and out-of-the-loop mom (who shatters this characterization at the end, revealing her wisdom). Dorian is not sexually objectified or portrayed as innocent. Rather, his character is developed as that of a smart-assed but courageous, realistically awkward adolescent boy.Another theme was the overlap between being different and being gay. Looking at the film summary and user comments (most of which I agree with), some people seem to have misinterpreted, in my opinion, what this film says about being gay. It is one boy's coming out story, not every gay man's coming out story. Not all gay people were always different. Likewise, not all high school students who deviate from normality are gay. Another phenomenon in the user comments was the idea that just because this was a good film, the actors and director are going to rise to fame. News flash: there are many, many talented and hard-working actors and directors who never get a big break.Straight people (99% of whom I've observed to be ignorant of the myriad issues LGBT people go through in coming out and the fact that these issues are caused by our heterosexist, homophobic culture) should see this movie.Dorian Blues doesn't stray from Hollywood's typical portrayal of a gay coming out story of a white, middle class boy who likes dancing and isn't good at sports (not to mention that one of its two black characters is absurdly dehumanized for a cheap plot advancement), nor does it overcome Hollywood's aversion to three-dimensional female roles, but it doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. Furthermore, its portrayal of the preciousness of sibling relationships despite gaps in understanding motivated me to write a letter to my brother. More than anything, its message is of the harmfulness of our rules for how men should be. We often think of women as being the ones who are short-shifted by gender roles, but this film shows how they hurt all of us.The Spanish-subtitled version is called "El Secreto de Dorian."
graham clarke
It's clear that gay themed films need to be made. For decades the topic was strictly off limits and gay audiences denied any kind of representation on screen. Over the past years the situation has vastly improved with gay movies becoming something of a genre in itself. However gay audiences in their joy at being able to watch stories which may parallel their own lives, have all too often allowed their critical faculties to take a back seat. There's a sense of forgiveness and tolerance towards second rate acting, poor characterisation, weak plots and mediocrity in general. The need to encourage and support the genre overcomes all. The result is a slew of extremely mediocre gay films such as "Broken Heart's Club", "All Over the Guy", "Kiss Me Guido" and "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" receiving a lot of undeserving praise. "Dorian Blues" is no exception. The problem is that first rate director's are seldom drawn towards making predominantly gay films while young aspiring inexperienced gay directors are all too eager to realise their visions. This they do with actors who for the most are ill equipped for the job and scripts unworthy of being made into movies.The inherent emotional upheavals of coming out makes for great drama. Naturally it's a process which has been delineated in a number of films. The feather weight "Dorian's Blues" hardly adds much to the sub genre. ( The British "Get Real" remains one of the best examples). It goes without saying that the movie is well intentioned. But that is not nearly enough. Gay audiences do not only deserve to have gay movies; they deserve good gay movies. Good movies are for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. People will learn and understand a lot more about what it means being gay by watching a well made, well written, well acted film. There's a way to go yet.
