Retake

Hadn't heard of this movie....just randomly saw it on Youtube. At first, I thought it was going to be a dull/lame hustler movie with no interesting characters. But it quickly became interesting as the plot thickened and the hustler and his handsome, older benefactor are suddenly on a car trip to the Grand Canyon. I enjoyed the twists and turns and was rooting for both characters. I wanted the two characters to stay together as a couple, but apparently that didn't happen at the end. Acting was good. Dialogue was good. It was well cast and it was unpredictable. Actually liked it quite a bit.

This was a far better film than the rating reflects. Sure, it's kind of a downer and doesn't have the happy ending you'd hope for, but it's real, it's honest, and the acting and production are top notch. Just because a film doesn't give a fairy tale ending is no reason to give it a low score. When there are so few films about the LGBT community that are high quality and of some substance or believability, it's truly sad to not give credit where credit is due.

No, it's not a love story, or story of redemption. It's a film about heartbreak, and a broken man (two broken men) trying to find happiness the only way they know how or can think of. Sure, I would have LOVED it to have ended differently, but It's FAR better than most other fare out there. It can be tough to watch at times, but is ultimately worth it.

This is a good movie, one that holds your interest with some kink and a lot of tension.

We never quite know exactly what Jonathon is up to when he hires Brandon. Brandon tells us what he wants and what he intends to do, but we're not exactly sure just how dark his kinkiness will go. Neither is Brandon, which is a sensible of him, IMO, and which only adds to the puzzle.

Essentially Retake features a Vertigo-like make-over, though this one is gay and a little more downtown. Like Vertigo, the principal characters seem to be developing an affection for one another, though we're not exactly sure what's genuine and what isn't.

All this uncertainty and kinkiness adds up to a picture that has you traveling down the highway to who-knows-where. You just aren't sure of the final destination until it gets there, and that's a very good thing.

Well-written, well-crafted, and worth seeing.

"Retake" is a road-drama about a lonely guy in his late 40s who hires a younger male prostitute - to drive with him from LA to Colorado. But "Retake" is not just another "road- buddy-movie". It's a powerful drama about human condition, relationships, pain, loss, and - love. The lead players (T. Watkins and D. Graye) are excellent in their portrayal of two complex characters, who search for answers through sensual and physical exploration. Their little "game" frequently breaks the rules, taking them to another dimension; exploring their past, and their inner-pain. It's a well written non-mainstream narrative, with certain dramatic elements of various European realism "waves" (such as Kieślowski, Wenders, and early Wajda). Nick Corporon's (director) mise-en-scène approach is semi-minimalist: long interior shots, mixed with hand-held photography and natural movement. An old Polaroid camera prop (used by the main character) - ads a touch of nostalgia to carefully staged cinematic ride. Overall, the picture is an example of well executed independent film that delivers something we lack in today's American cinema - a REAL people's story.

I wasn't sure where this was going, but was pulled in as the story unfolded. As Jonathan's story comes together, you are actually want to know more about the tragic relationship with the real Brendon. Was it a true love or a "project" Jonathan was going to fix. I am glad the story ended as it did,. Anything else would have been pathetic.