This movie was honestly just terrible. It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed this hard at a flick for all the wrong reasons, and I knew within the first ten minutes that things were going to be a total mess. Once you move past how awful it is, you can actually have a great time just wondering how this ever got made. It makes you wonder if anyone involved even bothered to watch the final version after they finished shooting. The plot is about as basic as it gets. A group of Black gay couples all get invited to a resort for a weekend trip where everything is paid for, but they all think the invite came from someone different. Since a few of these guys have some messy history with each other, the tension is pretty high as soon as they arrive. Nobody actually knows who is picking up the tab or who started the whole thing—A thinks B invited them, B thinks it was C, and it just keeps going like that. Pretty soon, a slasher starts picking them off one by one. The killer’s identity eventual...
Syd Stone is a popular film actor, whose popularity is slowly fading. He is in a town shooting for his next film and staying in a hotel. You can see he is struggling with his career and also probably with his sexuality. He is dodging his agent and his girlfriend and is somehow consuming himself in alcohol. One night he meets a charming lawyer Matt at the hotel bar and they get to talking. Sad finds it exciting that Matt has no idea who Syd is and soon enough a torrid affair starts. Eventually Syd does tell Matt who he is, but a surprise visit from Syd's girlfriend changes things. The agent has been pushing him to do a film, which he doesn't want to do, but eventually when both Matt and his ex girlfriend leave him, he decides to do the film, where his role is that of a sexually fluid guy and expectedly the film is a hot. A year and a half later, a journalist tries to get him to open up about his sexuality. Sad is initially hesitant because he knows this could possibly end his career, but eventually he decides that this could help teens and young kids who are struggling with something similar. He comes out on national TV and hopefully things will continue to be good for Syd.
The six episodes of I Am Syd Stone explore how the star navigates the pull of desire. The show finds a fascinating study in celebrity through Syd’s self-destructiveness. Having said that the web series is not without its shortcomings. The film being shot with minimum people and hardly any crew and people in hotel seem very basic. I understand the budget might be limited and the focus was more on story than aesthetics, but that could have helped. But at least the series had something to say. A message sent that in today's day and age, not many people care about your sexuality (if you are lucky enough to live in a country like this). In fact, when you are in position of power and influence, a step like this could be huge inspiration for younger generation, which is what eventually Syd does. In his own way. Matt comes into his life to re-establish his confidence, his morale and also reiterate that Syd deserves better for himself. Shame, guilt and fear is not going to take him anywhere. Acting by everyone, especially leads actor is amazing. His pain and anguish laced with desire and love is perfectly done and best part of the show is that there is no unnecessary drama. Six short and sweet episodes make it a nice pleasurable watch. (6.5/10)
Comments