Luster

LUSTER is a winsome, engaging look back at a time in the early 1990s when queer nonchalance began to overtake gay pride for the first time.

Something like an early Gregg Araki film (although less angry and more light-hearted), LUSTER is a funny, sexy, and a generally fast-moving look at the early Nineties from the not-too-distant perspective of the early Twenty-first century. It's hardly a classic, and hardly the kind of film that will stay with a person as the years go by, but the film's entirely adorable actors and characters help make this sweet and sexy film very much a worthwhile experience. At least it seems that way for a gay audience looking for something beyond the usual post-Queer milquetoast like IN AND OUT or WILL AND GRACE..

The film had the edginess and campiness of a Greg Araki film, with some moments cinematography and character development reminiscent of Gus Van Sant. The characters were sexy, quirky and fun to watch. The story was engaging. The production quality (lighting and sound) was lacking a bit, but not too bad. Hopefully we will see more of Justin Herwick, who played the lead role. He reminded me of River Phoneix. Supporting actor Jonah Blechman (who played Billy) was adorable and his character added some punch to the film. Those who like a mix of raunchiness and reality with the esoteric and attempts to "be deep" will enjoy the film. I definitely did.

Reminiscent – I was never part of that scene, but I recognise many of the situations. Funny – in the right places, and the few dark parts of the comedy are … appropriately dark. Quirky, and unexpectedly thoughtful – or thought-provoking, in not too deep a way. Some of it's emotionally symbolic, which sounds a bit arty but it's not; it's down-to-earth.

Luster is not all of those things at once in any one part of the film, nor should it be. It's a smart mix that's effectively packaged. More than OK, I felt positively good after watching it.

There's some caricature, and that's expected, but it's fitting. The characters' emotions are totally human. The timeline is enjoyably ridiculous, but I don't imagine for a moment that this was intended to be realistic. Cramming the whole thing into a single weekend is part of the essence of what makes the package effective. I shan't spoil the plot by commenting on the other essential parts.

Incidentally, it's not the orgy that's pictured on the cover (I never expected it to be – a friend recommended the movie over a decade ago).

A memorable film that I'll keep, and certainly watch again, more than once. For that alone, I want to give it 8/10.

Some of it's 9/10. Overall, it's a 7 – take your time, set aside any preconceptions, watch and enjoy.

Luster is more a movie about a guy who happens to be gay ,not a GAY movie. Jackson is an amazing character for this film because like this film although he is strange he is believable and thats how the whole film is dramatic enough to be a movie but not so much that you find no common ground. The relationship between characters is amazing and As a gay guy i can honestly admit i have "fallen in love" a million times before learning the person's last name like how Jackson is crazy over billy who he knows nothing about. That impulse for a connection is totally believable and the film makes you look at the characters and go i have a friend like that or more importantly "i am like that"

Fun movie about alternative life in LA.

Sean Thibodeau as Derek gives it an interesting twist and gives a poignant performance.

His character gives the movie its heart and sole.

Shows an interesting side to LA and people trying to find there way.

Some of the characters seem a bit extreme, but does add to the theme of the movie.

Jackson makes for an interesting protagonist: watching his evolution makes the movie interesting.

He and Derek make for an unusual pair but that makes it even more intriguing.

For a low budget movie it really does an excellent job.

Worth your time to watch.

The transition between Jackson and Derek makes the movie.