Blackbird
(2014/Image DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B Extras: B Film: B+
17
year old Randy is perfect, top of his class, in the church chorus,
the all around nice guy everyone goes to for help and can trust,
everyone expects him to go far one day. Ever since his father left
he has been taking care of his disturbed mother by himself. But he
has one secret, he is not interested in girls ...but boys. As he
struggles to remain the 'ideal son' can he lie to himself of the
truth? Randy and his mother live in the deep Bible Belt South, but
every morning he wakes up to wet sheets and wet dreams of boys.
In
Patrik Ian-Polk's Blackbird (2014), a sad and all too familiar
story unfolds in its own way. While he was raised deeply religious,
he was taught to believe sex was sin, and homosexuality is an act by
the devil, but he can't stop his feelings/dreams towards other males.
He continues to live in extreme denial, but he is supported by his
friends who encourage him to step out. In school he and his friends
put on a gay version of Romeo and Juliet for the play and he
even join a film playing the role of a gay man. Even after coming
out he is rejected by his church and his zealot mother and he
questions why did God make homosexuality? Mo'Nique heads the cast.
This
was a powerful film on friends, religion and sexuality. While
society teaches us one thing, the thing it can't teach us is about
ourselves. It questions what role should religion play in
homosexuality? The more we reject who we are the less likely we will
find happiness in life. Any sort of rejection or hatred should be
considered a reflection of ourselves and not of God.
The
anamorphically enhanced image is not bad, but I was surprised how
clean & clear the lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 mix was. Extras
include deleted scenes, audition footage, behind the scenes, music
video and trailer.
-
Ricky Chiang
