Alex Strangelove

6/10 - I really wanted to like this movie, but as a lot of the Netflix ones do, this one fell flat

I rarely review but *had* to after reading other comments. This is one of those movies written and directed by the same person, and often they crumble but this doesn't, so here's why you should give it a go.

Each actor plays convincingly - it does feel like the kind of heart-engaging, off-centre ensemble of an unearthed John Hughes 80s cladsic, as the leads do have the dawning ability to 'radiate' at times to camera.

All LGBT films get diverse reviews. Some people just don't get it. Even those who are LGBT have their own quite unique trajectory because it is mostly an introspective experience. That kind of coming out, alongside teen romantic projection, is conveyed charmingly here. It's not here to shake foundations. It's seems here to add warmth to a body of all to few LGBT films. A light touch uses gentle charm and occasional funny gags but focus remains on conveying confusion only some experience, but all would do well to be aware of.

If you want arthouse style and pathos watch Another Country, A Single Man, Priest (the UK one starring Linus Roache) or The Lost Language Of Cranes. All gems, but darkened by layers of tragedy. They are utter classics but not the most optimistic for a newbie.

Slightly lighter but still in the arthouse to an extent are the wonderful Call Me By Your Name and the very moving yet humble and verbally explicit Weekend, which is as much about an LGBT sense of difference and disconnection as it is about love at a tricky time.

This movie takes a gentle tone and would be ideal for someone finding courage to face the issue, or for adjusting relatives to gain a bit of lighter perspective. It walks a delicate balance of trying to acknowledge inner disorientation whilst retaining a perhaps idealised teenage warmth which many straight films have been privileged by. Yes, straight people, you have been blessed enough to coast with that so much you hardly even realise it is there but LGBT people notice it. This click is a bit like an American 'Beautiful Thing'. It has charm, if you let it in.

It gave some giggles here and there but I was more invested in the lead character's journey than needing it to make me chuckle. It is moving though, and I recommend it as one of the most 'comfortable to watch in straight company' gay films.

Some reviewers forget a person coming out can sometimes be hypersensitised as much to overt sexual imagery as their adjusting relatives. This movie would stretch that a *little* bit, but still be in the well intentioned comfortable zone.

Netflix could be a bit more brave with their gay films, but there is a place for this also. That they launched this movie is a great baby step. It deserves some kindness. Just chill and have a smile, then reflect.

Its got a nice premise and an honest attempt but its been done before. Everything about it was extremely predictable and the script was really boring. The direction itself was well done and it had a kind atmosphere but the whole thing was really unremarkable.

I really loved this movie. It was so sweet! Just makes you feel happy. It's interesting to see the struggles that someone may face while being a young, gay, high schooler. I also loved the way they showed his "girlfriend"'s side.They showed how his decisions and his actions were effecting her, which is not usually a side that gets much attention in a "coming out" movie. It was a great light hearted movie that made me smile and also made me cry.

What we have here is a personal story that feels a bit too personal. By that I mean it feels like it was made for a very select audience, perhaps even an audience of one. It's okay for filmmakers to create stories that mean a lot to themselves, but ideally they will mean a lot to many others as well.

That's what made 'Ladybird' so wonderful. That's a personal story that feels personal to everyone. It's so full of empathy that all viewers can connect with it and be genuinely moved by it. 'Alex Strangelove' never reaches those heights.

Plot-wise, here's the rub: Alex Truelove is a high school senior with typical high school senior problems. He is stressed about getting into the right college. He's stressed about school. He's stressed about figuring out this sex thing.

His friends tell him sex is no big deal, but for some reason it hasn't happened for him. He loves his girlfriend, and she loves him too, but he has been putting off that part of their relationship. She doesn't know why and neither does he. Or maybe he does, but he isn't ready to admit it to himself yet.

One night at a party, Alex meets a cool guy. Everything becomes harder and harder to understand. It's unclear to viewers, as it is unclear to Alex. He's on a journey to self-discovery. He just hasn't reached his destination yet.

Daniel Doheny (the guy who plays Alex) is terrific. He successfully plays the part at various times as charming, funny, awkward, confused and downright mean. It's a challenging role to pull off, and he hits all the right notes.

The actors who play Alex's girlfriend Claire (Madeline Weinstein) and the cool guy Elliot (Antonio Marziale) are both fine. They aren't as nuanced and realized as Doheny's Alex, but they don't stand out in a negative way.

The film's resolution leaves a bit to be desired. Some loose ends remain untied. It probably would have been better to never introduce those storylines in the first place. The script would've been tighter, and nothing crucial would be lost.

Overall, this is a funny and fun movie that's part 'Superbad' (because of the parties and foul language) and part 'Love, Simon' (because of the sexual self-discovery). But it isn't as good as either.