Tiger Orange

Set in a small town in rural California we meet Chet played by Mark Strano of 'Out to kill' fame. He has just organised his father's funeral and taken over the reins to run a small hardware store. He lives in what some would call a rural idyll and others would call 'the sticks'.

His brother is Todd played by Franki Valenti (aka Jonny Hazzard of 'Lair' fame and also the intriguingly named 'Hole Patrol' – which I am sure is about an annoying rabbit problem) who is more free spirited and has gone out and immersed himself in the World. Both brothers are gay but have chosen different paths, Chet of service and self denial and Todd of getting his rocks off and taking all the gay world has to offer. He is though a drifter and ends up home where they start to reconnect and explore their past.

Now this is actually a really good little indie effort. Valenti is very believable and plays the likable rogue perfectly. The direction is spot on from Wade Gasque and the camera work is mostly very good but the scenes that are beautifully framed and shot are let down by wobbly camera action in some of the dialogue scenes – seriously if it looks good and works then stick with it. It is an original story line too and deals with many issues – this is not 'porn fest' though so if that is your thing then best look elsewhere; if you like well acted and thoughtful gay based drama then there is a great film here waiting to be seen.

Here we see an interesting concept....a gay themed movie about two gay brothers, one a bad boy, who's lived in the LA gay scene, and the other, a discreet, conservative shop owner in a rural area. The bad boy actor did an amazing job. He was a bit over the top, but was convincing. When bad boy faces homelessness in LA, he goes back home to his brother. This is when we get to see some underlying resentments resolved and perhaps some anti-social behavior modification? Ending left me a little confused....but overall a good production with a good pace and script.

Indie gem (crowd-funded). Taut small-town drama in which the unfavoured son/brother returns and disturbs the tranquility his older brother has established in his life. Finely acted by all. Perfectly paced and totally successful in what it aims to achieve. (viewed 9/16)

Some writing movie reviews are obvious wannabes that have a need to trash everything, even when it's good. I'm not Siskel or Ebert and I'm not Rex Reed but I know solid gay themed movies when I see them.

Perhaps we don't want to give Frankie Valenti, AKA Johnny Hazzard of gay porn fame, the credit he deserves because guess what. The guy can actually act. Ok, so he's no Sean Penn but he's very capable and turns in a fine convincing performance here. I've not seen any of his other mainstream work but I will seek to do that now.

When you compare this to other attempts at gay themed cinema, you begin to realize just how good it is. Good production values, lighting sound, acting ability, direction, camera direction, etc., it's all here.

It's difficult not to feel sorry for both brothers, each revealing to us the pathetic paths they've chosen. One a responsible albeit reclusive loner, the other a worldly whore with nothing to show for it but empty pockets and failure at every level - work, relationships, and a general inability to navigate life. Bringing the two together after the death of their father, himself angry and cruel, certainly makes for good conflict.

Anytime someone tells you there's a good gay themed movie out there and you happen to be in search of that, put this one on the list of must sees. You won't be disappointed unless you're a real critic with a bone to pick.

Maybe the pacing is a little off, maybe a little script doctoring is in order, but for a low budget indie gay film, this is pretty good. Gay men will appreciate Frankie Valenti's butt (which many of us have seen in other filmic contexts), and may be surprised, as I was, at his solid acting chops. A few little things stood out: Tood (Frankie V.) wears cowboy boots with shorts, a bandanna on his head, while plinking at nothing in particular with his bb gun. Beats the hell out of the stereotypical costuming usually reserved for the-city-boy-come-home-to-the-small-town meme. That bit felt real to me. The flashback scenes of Todd and his brother Chet also have moments that work--good casting, here, too, as these young actors work well together. Marc Strano at the helm of a film he costars in has done good work with Tiger Orange. Far better than the usual gay indie work, well edited, well shot, well done. Those of us who grew up gay and closeted will see familiar situations, here.