Dorian Blues (2004) directed by Tennyson Bardwell

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Director: Tennyson Bardwell

Writer: Tennyson Bardwell (writer)

Release Date: 12 March 2004 (San Jose Cinequest Film Festival, USA)

Genre: Comedy

Tagline: Sometimes finding yourself is a matter of checking the closet.

Plot: Witty, knowing, and immensely entertaining, Dorian Blues is a delightfully off-kilter coming-of-age tale from debut writer-director Tennyson Bardwell. Adolescence is proving a pain for Dorian (Michael McMillian). He’s an outcast and the butt of classmates’ fag jokes at high school and his football hero brother (Lea Coco) is constantly rescuing him. But everything finally begins to make sense when he realizes that he’s gay.

Before his arch-conservative dad (Steven C. Fletcher, in a hilarious role) can throw him out of the house, he’s off to NYU where he encounters a new world of cafes, sophisticates and handsome men, but this life proves just as frustrating as his world back home. From the hysterical dinner table political discussions to the serious family moments and less-than-perfect life in college, the writing and acting is directly from the heart and always rings true. Prepare to laugh out loud with this first-rate gay comedy.

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@Amazon: Dorian Blues
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@TLA Releasing
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Cast (in credits order)
Michael McMillian ... Dorian Lagatos
Lea Coco ... Nicky Lagatos
Austin Basis ... Spooky
Cody Nickell ... Ben
Steve Fletcher ... Tom Lagatos (as Steven C. Fletcher)
Mo Quigley ... Maria Lagatos
John Abele ... Ben's Father (as Jack Abele)
Ryan Kelly Berkowitz ... Tiffany (as Ryan K. Berkowitz)
Richard Burke ... Muscles
Chris Dallman ... Andrew
Carl Dana ... Priest
Leslie Elliard ... Therapist Dr. Michener
Ryan Garrett ... Locker Bully
Sian Heder ... Ellie
Portia Kamons ... Mrs. Polk, Party Matchmaker
Jeff Paul ... Social Worker
Michelle Summerlin ... Ben's Mother
Frank D'Andrea ... Football Coach
Mary Gordon ... Dream Girl
Michael Cornish ... Dream Guy
Laura Nelson ... Strip Club Server
Brie Dinsmore ... Strip Club Dancer
Erika Eve ... Strip Club Dancer
Karla Ives ... Strip Club Dancer
Nicole Marquardt ... Strip Club Dancer
Mary Bardwell ... Church Confessor
John Taylor ... Pop Pop
John Shea ... Mr. Trolley
Pat Shea ... Mrs. Trolley
Tennyson Taylor Bardwell ... Basketball Boy (as Tenny Bardwell)
Tony Hastings ... Buffer Jones
Daniel A. Jacobs ... Tony
Ian McGlocklin ... Red Zone Player (as Ian M. Sinclair)
Rick Rodgers ... Bully Buddy #1
Andrew Zox ... Bully Buddy #2
Abbie Foster White ... Cheerleader
Kathryn Zox ... Aunt Beth
Melanie Krahmer ... Bar Band Singer
Richard Libutti ... Bar Band
Michael Steiner ... Bar Band
Gregory Nash ... Bar Band


Dorian & Nicky


Spooky & Ben

Comments

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I like this movie since it's probably the first gay themed movie where I like better the non-gay character, Nicky (Lea Coco), Dorian's brother. He has a development in the movie that is wonderful, starting anyway from a point where, even if he can't understand his brother, he never leaves him alone.

Dorian's himself is a good character, above all since it's not an "always" right gay teenager; he is suffering from his situation, but he is also mistaking. Even when he is in college and finally free, he is easily driven to mistake but his tendency to not analyze his situation. He is clinchy and envious. And I liked him for that reason.

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

This looks like such a fun film. Even the trailer had me amused.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

It's a bit on the farce side, but I liked that it really never shifts too much on the angst, as usually these stories do. Elisa

[lisa-thecat.livejournal.com]

thanks for the rec! I'm looking for it right now!

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

For me it's a good movie ;-) Elisa