The Kiss on the Cliff

Wise exploration of the period rules. Two young men. Theirs families. A decision. And, after a decade, its result. Beautiful cinematography, touching story, admirable performances. And something not so easy to define. Because it is just fine definition of a choice changing entire life, with solide motifs and the best thing is the manner to reflect it in this splendid short film about happiness and solitude. A special film.

Set in the early 80s in Wyoming, Steve is in love with his best friend Mark, but Mark is unsure of how he feels. Flash forward 10 years to the funeral for Steve's father.

The two boys have their Clive & Maurice moment (and yes, there's a Scudder around) but some things never change and some people never find the courage to do the really "true" thing.

There are just SO many coming out / coming of age stories and it's an evergreen topic for film makers. Most are generally sweet as those of us drawn to this kind of film are automatically pulling for the guys. And these films remind us of our own crushes & "roads not taken".

This one is workmanlike, and doesn't have any truly cringe-worthy parts. But when one finds oneself checking the progress bar at the bottom of a 21 minute video and kind of wishing that the number were higher than 14, that's probably NOT a good sign.

This 21 minute short film does not ask this question, but despite its brief length it explores many issues, and I for one wished it could have explored them further. The first half is set in the mid -1980's and AIDS is at the forefront of gay men's lives. A gay teenager falls in love with another teenager who is afraid of his own homosexuality. The safety of a marriage and ' normality ' separate them, just when the teenager, secure in his orientation, thrown out of his family, needs him. Ten years on and they meet again, and no spoilers. It is a sad, true and heartfelt film, and seeing it in 2021 it is still relevant. It is on YouTube and I urge both those who ran for the hills when AIDS hit hard, and also for those who faced up to their homosexuality and kept faith with their orientation to see this. Dialogues between both sides should take place, not in anger but a need to understand how a virus could destroy lives, and not only by death. I give it an 8 because I liked its focus, and only the acting let it down a little. Some will feel otherwise, but it is a near perfect film. I must add here that it is the subsidiary cast who let it down, and not the main two protagonists who are perfect.