The Green

The main motif , for me, to see this film was the presence in cast of Illeana Douglas. The second - I am teacher and the delicate situation of Michael is pretty realistic.

Indeed, not a great film , part for cliches, part for predactibility and holes, part for drops of unrealistic facta.

But reasonable and, in essence, this is what real matters.

Not brilliant performances but decent ones. Few delicate things fair reminded- from the apparences about neighbors to the attitude of comunity, secrets in couple and the brutal step father traumatizing the poor step son, the support for a good student from a teacher and the interpretation of the others.

But it is only a film. Decent, pretty interesting, correct in essence. And this is the only matter thing.

I found the film very absorbing, but if you're looking for Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour," this isn't it.

The fault doesn't lie with the actors or production qualities or the director: I think it's mostly that the script is a bit predictable, and not terribly daring: there are clear-cut good guys and bad guys motivated, on the one hand, by goodness and benevolence, and, on the other, by unspeakable evil and malice.

That is not suggest it's a waste of time: just that the screenplay struck me as too tame and too safe, instead of straying into more dangerous territory, raising tougher questions, and not resolving everything in the manner of (as I've seen others on IMDb saying, justifiably) of a T.V. "Movie of the Week." There are good, emotional scenes and quarrels, which will draw you in, however, performed with honesty and skill by a very fine cast.

THE GREEN (to satisfy many people's quandary about the name) refers to the luxuriant fields and trees of Connecticut: in this film it represents the haven for escaping the chaos of New York City to the quiet and civilized country. Strike 'civilized', as this film is about anything but civilized behavior on the part of the townspeople where schoolteacher/writer Michael Gavin (Jason Butler Harner) and his longtime partner, locavore caterer Daniel (Cheyenne Jackson) move from the chaotic life of New York City to the gentility of the small Connecticut town. Michael and Gavin are gay: Michael elects to keep his sexuality sub rosa in his new job as a teacher in a private high school, a 'don't ask-don't tell' adaptation, while Daniel simply goes about his catering business with his assistant Glenn (Michael Godere). Michael makes a good friend with Trish (Illeana Douglas) who has a healthy outlook despite the presence of recurring cancer requiring chemotherapy. Trish tries to warn Michael of the gossip in the school, but it is not until Michael attempts to defend a bright student Jason (Chris Bert) that the students and teachers and parents accuse Michael of inappropriate behavior with the shy Jason.

Once the accusation is made the town escalates the situation, Jason runs away from home, and Jason's parents Leo (Bill Sage) and Janette (Karen Young) decide to go after Michael in court. The men's friends Philip (Boris McGiver) and Bethanne (Mary B. McCann) attempt to help Michael but it becomes apparent that Michael need's a special lawyer - and that expert lawyer is Karen (Julia Ormond) who happens to be in a committed lesbian relationship. An old truth comes out: Michael had a prior arrest in NYC years ago for indecent exposure (police entrapment), but worse than for the case progress is the fact that Michael has never told Daniel about the incident, a fact that creates a serious schism between the two men. There is a surprising truth that enters into the story that provides an ending few could anticipate and revealing any aspect of it would taint the experience of the new viewer.

The brilliant script was written by Paul Marcarelli and the film is directed with great sensitivity by Steven Williford. The entire cast is first rate, but special kudos have been earned by Jason Butler Harner, Cheyenne Jackson, Illeana Douglas and Julia Ormond - each deserves careful consideration for awards. But the power of this excellent film is the presentation of homophobia both on the part of the townspeople and students and faculty, but also in the way Michael has elected to lead his life: his own fear of his true identity is as much the cause of his downfall as the external forces. There are many lessons to be learned form this film, but above all THE GREEN is an example of superb American independent film making at its best, presenting an excellent story in a sophisticated, mature, and reasonable manner. Highly Recommended.

Grady Harp

I can't understand why this movie didn't get wider distribution and more attention. It's really one of the overall best movies--gay or straight--i've seen in a long time. The writing is expert and never falls to cliché or hackneyed dialog. The actors are all excellent in their roles, presenting genuine emotions genuine, allowing us to feel with them and for them. The big reveal may be a little too unannounced, mainly because the character of Jason isn't given the time he needs, but I consider even that a minor flaw in an otherwise intelligent, moving, thought provoking and far-from-heavy-handed movie. Up there with Maurice as my favorite gay movie; up there with the Big Chill as one of may favorite movies overall.

"... Whoa. Just... whoa," is about all my brain could come up with for the first few minutes after watching the credits roll on this film. While obviously gay material, I was delighted that this didn't remotely come across as one of those 'gay films' we all end up rolling our eyes at; there is none of the campiness, smut factor, or frying-pan-over-the-head- message that seems to plague nearly every film that tackles gay issues. The writing managed to be both tense and sharply witty at the same time, and it was executed phenomenally by both the primary and supporting cast. As a gay man trained to be a high school educator, this issue is certainly something I have had to think about and I believe the film treated it extremely realistically for our current sociopolitical climate. I absolutely recommend this film to anyone who enjoys edgy tension-dramas and social commentary.