Catherine O

I liked this thought-provoking film. At the same time, the main character was really self-absorbed. Family dynamics are hard and this person had a family who loved him. There's an outsider in this movie who is deemed a "bigot." He's actually just a jerk -- to everyone, not just this character. But he reacts so dramatically to this stranger, this bully, and because of this, innocent loved ones suffer. I think the expectation that others have to treat people well regardless of whether they are straight, gay, trans, not, whatever, is perfectly legit. But we are, most of us, going through some sort of pain. Even bullies. This film really conveyed the pain of the parents admirably. Yet there was judgment by the filmmaker too. It's a pretty tall order to expect everyone to just immediately accept what's new and unfamiliar. There's one point where the main character claims others don't want him to "exist." I just don't agree that's fair unless someone's calling for your execution, and I think wisdom is not being so engaged in expectations of other people, esp. those who are not employers, loved ones, etc. MOST of the pain people experience really does go unnoticed and unspoken and so demanding others treat me great all the time seems futile as well as narcissistic. This understanding comes with maturity and independence, something the world could use a bit more of. This character was not that. young but acted like a teen. The love story was redeeming though; I really enjoyed the interaction and the characters.

Best film I've seen in about 10 years. It is subtle and introspective, somehow very American in a way that I really appreciated. I can't seem to get it out of my head. I despise films that are rom-com, Disney, superhero-oriented, and most sci fi, which limits my options. The script is a marvel of spareness and pitch, but so is the direction. A very well-edited film.

If you have trauma in your past and are wondering how it affects the present this may be for you. I found it very moving, particularly the ending.