Retake

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.

Okay, so now I've just watched this movie ... 6 stars on IMDb, I thought it was very much better! A realistic portrayal of hustlers, and what they are like. John's and what they can be like. I met guys like this for sure in real life! It all made sense to me!

Hustlers are screwed up, John's are really strange, (I know from experience,) it played out as a real possibility, right up to the very end results.

"Brandon," Adam ... (Devon Graye) had a realistic imperfect body, although an AMAZING face you just must fall in love with! Then there was the other protagonist, Jonathan, (Devon Graye) the messed up John. Amazing.

The script was strong and realistic right to the very end. I thought it was great! Been there, done that, (well not quite,) but it played out REAL!

Strong 8 stars from me!

This an interestingly quirky take on a road trip movie. "Jonathan" (Tuc Watkins) retains the services of a much younger hooker and proceeds to attempt to turn him into the partner he has lost. They set off en route to the Grand Canyon and their relationship - despite themselves - starts to flourish. Devon Graye plays the "duplicate" boyfriend ("Adam") really very well and the toing and froing of their relationship encompasses lust, pain, longing, despair and anger as it reaches it's conclusion. There is enough ambiguity throughout to keep this interesting and the writing is taut. It is well worth a watch.

"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.