Jongens

This is a great movie. I watched it in dutch, with dutch subtitles and my native language is Spanish and I didn't even need to understand them because their performances were so good that it wasn't necessary. This is the kind of gay themed movie I was looking for all this time. It's not explicit and shows the real feelings of the principal character. It shows the love and the pain he suffers. It's like the last users said: it's the kind of movie that everyone can see. This movie can change the mentality of a lot of people. It's great and I'm happy that IMDb gave it such a good qualification, because almost an 8 is very difficult in this web site.

Boys is a 2014 Dutch (with English subtitles) made for TV film, starring Gijs Blom in the lead as Sieger and Ko Zandvllet as his love interest, Marc. It is set in the countryside and the cinematography is beautifully done. The storyline maybe tame by American standards but is solid and believable. Sieger is discovering his sexuality amidst dealing with the loss of his mother, over protective father and a rebellious older brother. Marc, confident and free spirited, is comfortable with his gayness and pursues a friendship with Sieger. The two are in training for the big upcoming track relay race. As the story unfolds we see the romance develop between the youths. This is a wholesome, romantic, first love story that will be enjoyed by most. Mischa Kamp's work succeeds without resorting to the typical and tired formula of sex and drugs. This is a great film, for teens and their parents to watch together.

Theme: "Jongens" is a coming of age drama. It's about accepting one's own homosexuality, and the struggle that comes along. The love story is pure and natural, set to the background of an all male sports team for teenagers.

Photography: "Jongens" (Boys) has the most incredibly and beautiful imagery you can wish for, both in landscapes as well as sports and love. This movie is almost entirely shot outside at Utrechtse Heuvelrug (Utrecht wolds), a very green part of the Netherlands, and nearby lakes. The surroundings breathe innocence and flourishing life. It challenges physical exercising. Camera man Melle van Essen has done a great job. Young actors Gijs Blom and Ko Zandvliet are brilliant.

This movie is excellent educational material for high school students because homophobia is still an issue world wide.

I'm not going to tell you the story, and you better don't read it elsewhere, just watch and enjoy it.

At this writing the previous reviews save one all heap praise on this sweet little movie. The lone dissenter hated it.

I understand both points of view. It's well done, nicely framed, and tells a story that flows quite naturally. It is subtle, and it shows us what's happening rather than tells us, which is what a good movie needs to do. On the other hand, we have seen this story and virtually every plot device it uses in countless other gay films from the last 30 years.

More than one review here compares Boys to Beautiful Thing. No, sorry. Not even close. Beautiful Thing is unflinching in its hard boiled, sardonic view of teen age angst. This movie should only be compared to Beautiful Thing by calling it Beautiful Thing Ultra Lite.

Now, that's not a bad thing, necessarily. And, evidently, for a lot of people, Ultra Lite is enough. I won't say I didn't enjoy it, because I did; it's very watchable. But if you go into this expecting a masterpiece, well, you may not find it. Especially if you've seen a lot of gay-themed movies that are really good.

Despite my longstanding love for the genre, I did not expect to be so moved by this film. In the same vein as movies like Shelter, Just A Question Of Love, Beautiful Thing, Jongens is about a boys struggle with sexuality, family obligations, growing up. There are plenty of plot points that are similar, admittedly, but Jongens had something the others didn't. Or perhaps it steered clear of things the others didn't.

While some reviews suggest there needs more elaboration, or elucidation, I think that's where the beauty lies. The main character, Sieg, and his love interest, Marc, fall for each other. You don't know that because they say it, or because they are physical with each other - you know that because of their stolen glances, their fleeting touches, the way they play and laugh and muck around, just like boys do.

There are serious elements to the film - we constantly see Sieger punishing himself with his athletic training, his overbearing brother always in the background - but they don't overwhelm you, or steal anything from all the sweet, gentle moments. Playing out parallel to the upcoming athletic championships, and with the backdrop of the river,forest,and long dirt roads - so much can be taken from what you see, and how it makes you feel, rather than what is told or forced upon you.

I agree there should be more, but only because they're special, their feelings and shared moments are fun and enthralling, and you'd like to be privy to hours of them.

If sweet, subtle, coming-of-age films are your cup of tea then definitely take time to see this movie. Sieg's journey into love, and identity is universal, and I think a lot of people - regardless of their sexuality - will relate.