Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

leethomas-11621 I was impressed by the performances of the cast especially Cole Doman as Henry Gamble. The characters change or are revealed to be different people in the second half and that is worth sticking around for. I wished it had been more daring but I guess it was going for a general audience. (viewed 11/16)

leewstone If you grew up gay in the South at least semi-recently, this movie will probably resonate with you. I watched this movie on a whim while bored and looking for something a little more risqué, and though this movie certainly failed to fulfill on the latter, it more than captured my attention otherwise. The movie was visually intriguing, the music incredible, and the artful combination of the two left me feeling completely immersed in some beautiful, quasi-reminiscent experience. I'm actually quite stunned by how deftly the writer and director were able to echo my own experiences growing up in a family that both loves you and is in many ways disgusted by you as well. It's intriguing that other reviewers find this movie dated or otherwise inaccurate. I'm not sure what churches they go to, but very few clergymen these days go without. We have pastors with million-dollar homes, with fleets of cars, heck there are more than a few pastors with private airplanes. Also, I'm only 32 and 17yo me would have felt perfectly at home in this movie.This movie isn't for the average viewer these days that likes to be spoon-fed every single detail. On the contrary, I found that HGBD challenged the viewer to reexamine their subconscious biases regarding these stereotypes and perhaps give the 'other side' another look. Great job!

Shaun McCarthy Writer/Director Stephen Cone has crafted a film that on technical merits alone is heads above most films dealing with a gay youth coming of age. Cinematographer Jason Chiu's contributions must be recognized as well. Finally, a fairly strong cast all adds to a film that is confident and ambitious. It may not always achieve, but its parts are greater than the whole.The camera is an observer and moves melodically throughout the film. Yet, cinematographer and director never become showy. Each angle and camera movement is intentional and honest. The lead actors are strong. Their backstories are sometimes revealed through dialogue but their untold stories echo throughout rewarding the audience with so many three dimensional people rarely seen in smaller films. The supporting cast is mostly as strong.A majority of the film deals with teenagers conversing at a birthday party. The written dialogue accurately reflects that world but the subtext of real world drama rings through loudly. Cast and director deserve strong kudos.The pacing of the film is not as strong. Multiple story lines are difficult to balance and juggle. Here writer and editor (both Cone again) show their weaknesses. As well, and no spoiler, the ending is lacking. Technically, it is fitting and true to the world of the film, but that does not discount the audience leaving feeling short changed.A third of the way through the film, I was very excited by what I had seen thus far. Two thirds of the way through the film, I became a tad restless but I was invested in the characters to want to see it through. By the end, I was disappointed based on my initial excitement but not enough to be disenfranchised. Stephen Cone is a talent to be watched. His ambition should be encouraged and nurtured. His cast deserves to be seen in many more projects. Henry Gamble's Birthday Party is a very good achievement and possibly one that will be recognized in future years as a major leaping point for many people.

zif ofoz It's Henry Gamble's 17th birthday and preacher daddy want to have a memorable birthday party! After this party nobody is going to forget Henry Gamble's 17th birthday.Here's the plot - the movie opens with Henry and a male friend in bed talking about 'dick size' and Henry is very interested in this topic. Why they were in bed together is never explained. They go to breakfast and dear ole' preacher dad is more interested in getting the party going than Henry. That afternoon Henry's friends and the parents friends slowly show up and the party is on.The young'uns all go for the pool and the parents sit on the terrace and exclaim how awful it is that the girls are so scantily dressed! (The writers must have forgotten it is the 16th year of the 21st Century) Now all these teens are unsure if Jesus likes everybody or not because one guy is openly gay and black! Jesus might not like this but who cares lets party! So Henry's preacher dad finds the wine and starts his own personal communion with Jesus and his wife isn't too happy about this. In the meantime one of the girls goes on a screech fest at her boyfriend and she runs around the neighborhood and a guy named Logan goes to the bathroom and takes a razor blade to his face!The setting is lavish! The father of Henry is a minister (keep that in mind) and his house is very grand indeed with a big pool and stone terrace and steps. The inside of the house is worthy of a House Beautiful layout. For a preacher he's done very well for himself! At movies end Henry has the gay black guy in bed with him and they are talking 'dick size'. The end!WTF??