The movie is set in Caracas, and I've got to say, it definitely isn't going to be for everyone. The way the story builds up is actually pretty strong, but for me, the point of it all felt a little fuzzy. It's a story packed with gay desire and a lot of violence, giving you a really interesting look at the city through its two main characters. However, what’s actually driving each of them stays in a bit of a gray area, which was a little bothering. The story follows a middle-aged gay man named Armando who spends his time cruising the streets and buses looking for young, working-class guys. He pays them to come back to his place, but he gets his kicks just by watching them pose half-naked without ever actually touching them. One of these meetings goes south fast when a street teenager named Elder brutally beats Armando up, steals his cash, and makes a run for it. A few days later, Armando tracks the boy down, and Elder steals from him again, but for some reason, Armando becom...
13 year old Logan lives with his single mother, who worries about him since he is very much in his own world of dreams and fantasies. There is a news that mountain lions are roaming around free and that students must be careful. Hs best friend is joey, another not so cool kid in school. But Logan respects the mountain lion and is appalled at the fears that have spread like wildfire about the animal in the school. He is happy when an older student Rodeo, a ninth grader who spends most of his time alone, turns out to share his feelings. He claims to have seen a lion in woods and before you know the two start hanging out. Logan is clearly smitten by Rodeo, and he pushes this to the limit when he begins some suggestive phone conversations with him pretending to be a girl. It is the closest he comes to drawing out the woman inside him. Rodeo doesn't take kindly when he finds out the truth. When the school counselor learns of a vicious campaign against Logan mounted by a large group of students, the principal inaugurates a campaign of kindness with the intention of promoting tolerance in the school instead of homophobia.
The film is a portrait of a 13-year-old homosexual struggling with his identity, alienation from his peers, loneliness, and sexual fantasies. Its a coming of age story, something we have seen plenty of time before. In this film, the focus is more on Logan's development than the story itself. The one string thing about this film is a beautiful performance by Logan. As he chats up the unsuspecting Rodeo in sporadic telephone calls, you fear for Logan’s sanity as much as his security. But, as I said before the way these scenes are executed, they are not really my cup of tea. Filmed in garish tints, these scenes of seduction are bizarre because most of the dialogues are in voice over from Logan and Leah. The entire film plays out like a haunting music video. Low rumbling, chimes, bells fill in the silence so there really isn't any. Personally for me this film would have worked better with a straight forward narrative style, rather than a psychedelic visual narration. But to each its own and I guess there are plenty of people who would connect with this form too. I just can't see myself recommending the film to anyone, even though it will connect with teenagers and is an important statement. (4.5/10)
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