Ponyboi

Watched this at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

"Ponyboi" isn't something new to the crime thriller genre but it does offer a new perspective from the trans community which was refreshing and includes good performances from the lead actor River Gallo, good neon vibe camerawork and tension throughout.

Filmmaker Esteban Arango improved his directing style and approach unlike his previous work "Blast Beat" which I didn't like as Arango does a good job on the neon 80's vibe, the tension, and the character interactions. The performances from the entire cast was really good and Dylan O'Brien really surprised me cause outside from The Maze Runner franchise, he offers some really good acting range.

The writing does have it's fault but the good performances, chemistry, and the solid dialogue moments helps to create a gritty thriller with some pretty good emotional moments between the themes of trans identity, desperation, life, and crime. Good soundtrack too.

This movie feels like a good throw back to the 80s crime thriller and overall, it was a fun time.

Ponyboi was born intersex, and takes (illegitimately obtained) testosterone to keep up his male identity. However, when he starts presenting as female, his formerly doting father throws him out. He is taken in by Vinny, working in Vinny's laundromat, but also as a "specialist interest" member of his harem of prostitutes. Vinny also makes drugs, and when a pickup from a major distributor goes bad, things go awry, with everyone chasing Poniboi on that Valentine Day's evening.

There are subplots, including Vinny's pregnant girlfriend Angel who he is two-timing (or more), Ponyboi's dying father who wants to reconcile, and a laundromat client who bonds with Poniboi over Bruce Springsteen.

This is a decent thriller, with moments of tenderness. What makes it original is the intersex angle, and River Gallo plays that part particularly well.