Naked As We Came

The two male protagonists in this film were clearly chosen for their pectorals rather than for their acting ability, and that about sums up the general quality of this forgettable drama. With the exception of S. Lue McWilliams who, as the dying mother (and only grownup), has too few moments on screen, the acting is very "daytime soap" – in short, overwrought and about as subtle as a crutch. Karmine Alers in particular starts at about 120% pit bull and ramps up from there. In most of her scenes you're too worried that she's going to have a stroke to pay attention to what she's saying. The scene in which she supposedly softens enough to expose her "true soul" by singing, a cappella, a banal Britney Spears knockoff is almost too painful to watch. The real dog of this movie, however, is the direction and the screenplay, maladroitly handled in both cases by Richard LeMay. LeMay shows that he understands approximately nothing about pacing, and there so many crescendo moments that the overall effect is numbing rather than engaging. The characters fight about the same things, over and over. They say the same terrible things to each other, over and over. They come to moments of gut-wrenching emotional crisis, over and over. And then they make breakfast. It's about as amateur as it comes, and LeMay cries wolf too many times. When we finally reach the final scene, Elliot's deathless lines can only provoke peals of laughter. For the entire rest of this film, his character has displayed the emotional depth of a garden gnome, and his sudden moment of deep, voiced-over wisdom is an unbelievable, unearned fortune-cookie aphorism.

not for story, who is far to be original. not really for cast - except S. Lue McWilliams who reminds few roles by Charlotte Rampling. maybe, interesting for first/last images, for music, for the location and for art of measure of director. but, surely , interesting for the imagine an European director, cast and manner to use the story. the delicate European / maybe French/ flavor is its basic virtue.the big sin - performance of Benjamin Weaver. than, the end. it is a family movie and a gay movie. and the impression after its end is far to be disappointed. because, it is not great or a revelation. but it is decent fresco of a family and a fragile relation , all in a not uninspired balance. so, just interesting.

The line that became the title does say it all. Naked As We Came into this world and naked is how we go. The rest is all good and bad baggage picked up along the way.

Brother and sister Ryan Vigilant and Karmine Alers are summoned to the bedside of their mother S. Lue McWilliams who is dying of cancer and wants to leave the world on some kind of good terms with her children. Her late husband was a U.S. Senator who was looking good to rise higher, but then inexplicably just gave up his career. At the end of the film we get a big hint as to why.

On the family estate they meet one hunky gardener in Benjamin Weaver who has many talents, writing, cooking, and seducing. But it's the son Ryan Vigilant whom he aims for and gets. He's on a mission, but in the process he becomes closer to McWilliams than either of her kids were.

Naked As We Came is an interesting character study of three people bound by blood, but as disparate as they get and the outsider who if he doesn't get them together at least brings about a better understanding.

Nice solid performances with the four leads. As the film is spent 95% of the time on the estate, the film bears comparison to Long Day's Journey Into Night. Not anywhere as good as the O'Neill classic, still Naked As We Came has its own definite merits.

Naked As We Came deserved so much attention. it's a pretty emotional and beautiful!!

Honestly, I think this is one of the best gay theme movies in 2013. Despite it's low budget film, everything run perfectly well. The great part is the casting. Richard LeMay, the director, really done a careful and brilliant job to pick up the only six casts. Well, he is also the writer, I guess he know know pretty much a fit character to his own story.

Like I said, it's low budget. The casts only six and 98% appeared only the fourth main actors and main location just in big house with big garden. But, surprisingly, I didn't get bored, a good cinematography really helped with that problem.

About the story, I have to say that it's not really original. I mean, I have seen some gay interest movie with the same main story, sick mother/father/children, broken family members, guilt, reconciliation, and new future, but somehow, I like "Naked As We Came" twisted ending. Well, I don't really expect that ending and still can't figured it out yet, but mostly I have some in mind. The ending really help with whole plot story.

Love the character. Actually, this movie still a simple story, I figure it out why Richard LeMay picked conspicuous characters for the four main actors. It was great, like to see every character develop as it's be. The only lack is Benjamin Weaver's character as Ted Kingsley. He has the worst acting and likely incomplete character.

The ending? Well, I guess everyone has their own dream ending. One last thing, I think this movie more likely called as family movie than gay theme/interest movie.

I'm highly recommended this movie. I just hope it has bigger budget, could be very promising movie.