Hooked

When I was a young man just out of college I experimented with some gay escorting and I found it to be a fascinating life experience. Later I became a gay adult video producer/director, so I know that world from both sides of the table. For those reasons, I'm always drawn to movies that explore the male escort/client relationship and the hidden world in which they operate.

"Hooked" doesn't really offer any genuine insight nor unique perspective into that secretive world. Jack's interactions with his male clients are predictable and stereotypical, but at least somewhat realistic. However, the only scene with a female client - who forces him to wear diapers and talk like a baby - appears to be lifted straight from "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo". Ridiculous. I understand it was probably included as comic relief in an otherwise serious movie, but I believe it was a misstep that went too far.

I was very impressed with Conor Donnally as the lead character, Jack. Not credible as a 17/18 year old, but I'm willing to overlook that. Of course, he's exceptionally handsome and hunky, but more importantly he was clearly committed to each scene - even the superficial and weak ones. It's all about the spark in his eyes. He definitely has the "x factor" and I hope to see him in many more features to come. The other stand-out performance was by Jay Alan Christianson as Date-Rape Dan. (Apparently he's uncredited in the movie. I'd like to know why.) He was fantastic as a creepy, coked-up slimeball client. I don't think anyone could have delivered a stronger performance.

I try to support as many gay oriented films as I can, but I have to be honest. "Hooked" is just okay overall. Ultimately, it's superficial and it missed a golden opportunity to explore the serious dramatic potential of the gay escort/client dynamic. Speaking of missed opportunities -- Donnally is shown shirtless in many scenes, but only shirtless -- never more. Obviously, I didn't direct this movie! I'll remember "Hooked" for the beauty and spark of Donnally and the brilliantly menacing performance of Jay Alan Christianson.

What a waste of an attractive lead. The big failure was in making the protagonist so unlikable that you don't root for him. You just want him to go away.

I could write an essay on how terrible this movie was; but what I really came to mention was the insulting reference of Borderline Personality Disorder, where he (the character - though really the script writer) explains that this is the reason he stole an item from a store (!) and is "fcked up." Uh... no.

Beyond sleazy. The lead character is just putrid. Not even Casper Andreas' big nipples can save this film, although they tried. They really tried.

I mean, I wasn't expecting much. Unintelligent dialogue and sloppy direction. Max Emerson is pretty but that's about all, sadly.

Just saw Hooked on iTunes and will keep this brief. It looks good, nicely shot but that's easier to achieve these days. The subject matter is honourable, LGBTI youth homelessness is an important issue. The central relationship is sweet and unique. The film's biggest flaw is some awkward acting, occasionally from the main couple but particularly from Terrance Murphy who plays the conflicted Ken - so wooden! Katie McClellan who plays his wife probably gives the most naturalistic performance in the film. There's certainly far worse queer cinema out there but there is better too.