Venus as a Boy

Characters ring false. My body was literally cringing listening to the dialogue. Beware of someone who both writes and directs and stars in their own movie. This proves why you shouldn't do this.

33 year old attractive black man wants to be an artist but winds up being a serial girl toy for successful women. After some soul searching, he finally starts producing art and begins getting noticed for his work instead of his looks.

The acting, direction, and scenery are all well above average. The story was just okay.

If the intent was to display how 'different' and 'out of touch' the art culture is with everyday people, then mission accomplished, I guess. Otherwise, that was just some bizarro story about the starving artists and the rich elite they have to satisfy to succeed.

I get the message that Hunter wanted to be true to himself and his art and he was going to stand on principle, and I thought that was about the only good part of the story. However, that was a long journey for a pretty common movie theme. I can't imagine a large segment of society relating to this movie. I'm sure the 'critics' will love the diversity and portrayal of culture, but that is their world. For most of us, it was just a P. T. Barnum spectacle that wore off after the first 20 minutes, IMO.

One last point, what the heck is with all the smoking? I thought we were past glamourizing cigarette smoking in the movies?

This film hits on visual, relational, and cultural levels.

Each character felt real, while also representing how disjointed identities and values might attract and repel each other within our current counter/cultural landscape. Themes of expression, success, anti-Blackness. Femininity, spirituality, and playfulness/responsibility coalesce in this film that insists on setting its own course.

The film feels equal parts sweet and tense, whimsical and serious, all while remaining realistic, fresh, and genuine.

I wish I could watch it for the first time over and over!

P. S. We live for trace lysette. Yes hunny.

This was a beautiful film. Every frame is like a poem to Los Angeles and the talented, struggling bohemians that make it a wild and magical place.

The acting is pitch perfect and the characters are creatures you fall in love with.