The film starts with Teen Tommy just having graduated, but sadly has also been dumped by his boyfriend and is struggling with the pain of heartbreak. His father, is well intentioned but unable to provide emotional support. His mother supports him unconditionally. When Tommy starts to work with his father Rin his workshop, he accidentally discovers email chain between his father and another man, clearly indicating a gay affair between the two. The young boy doesn't know what to do. Gathering courage, he asks his father about this, who tells him that this man was someone he had a relationship with before the marriage and that their mother knows and now the guy just reached out but nothing happened. Tommy struggles with this info and you can see the weird dynamic between him and his father. It especially becomes tricky since the family is son supposed to leave on a long trip in a caravan. When he cant take it much longer, Tommy sends a screen shot of the mail exchange to his mother who is very surprised. But in a very dignified manner, the couple talks through various options but a strain is clearly visible. This is exactly what Tommy feared when he was unsure of whether to disclose this information or not. Eventually the couple separates for a while to figure things out and in a nice touching finale, Tommy goes to meet this new man in his art gallery, has a very dignified conversation just to get to know his dad a little more and then goes to visit his father.
The film is layered, but focuses on one central conflict: what do you do when you discover a secret that can tear the core of your family apart? Tommy is faced with an impossible choice: confront his father, inform his mother, or carry the secret in silence. And how do you expect a 17 year old teenager to know these answers. All this while he is also nursing his heart and looking for a new boyfriend maybe. The best thing is that the film is never over-dramatized. Conversations between father-son or the husband and wife are always cordial and with respect (maybe not realistic but in such situation someone is bound to lose their mind). The film does not conform to the conventions of a standard family drama. The scenes do not build towards sensational climaxes, but develop as real relationships do: slowly, with subcutaneous tension, and ultimately with inevitable confrontations. The acting and the direction of the film is top notch. Tommy, as the central protagonist is at the center and does a wonderful job. As a sincere teenager looking to answers for all these questions for himself and his family, you can feel his dilemma. I mean, if a similar situation was to happen to you, what would you do? Both the father and mother are vulnerable, loving and enigmatic. Their priority is firstly their kids and then anything else. If you like family dramas, you will enjoy this like I did. A profound portrait of a family that threatens to fall apart because of sexuality and secrets, but something that is handled with grace, sincerity and respect. (7/10)
Comments