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.

Two gay brothers reconnect after the death of their dad. Mark Strano is Chet, who stayed in the family home, and even runs the family hardware store. (Strano was also in Out to Kill). Frankie Valenti is brother Todd, who has left LA to return home, after a bad breakup. (Valenti also has a thriving career in the "alternative film industry"... which explains why we keep seeing him get undressed and dance around naked. In the adult films, he's known as Johnny Hazzard). Chet and Todd are two completely different people. Chet is quiet, conservative, and keeps a low profile. Todd is the loud, rowdie one, and they butt heads right off. And Todd likes to start fights, so we can tell its going to be a huge problem. It's a great story. Good script. MOST of the actors do a great job, but there are a couple weak apples in the crowd. or am I mixing my metaphors? All kinds of cussing and adult gay guy talk in this one, so its definitely NOT for the kiddies.

Directed by Wade Gasque, who had only directed short films before this. I was looking for a production company name on IMDb, but i see at the end of the film, this was funded by kickstarter. That's the website where people donate to the fund to get it made, and they have their name listed at the end of the credits. Glad to see it succeed. Quite entertaining.

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.

Porno star Johnny Hazzard goes mainstream in Tiger Orange. I expected him to fall flat on his handsome face, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Hazzard is a delight to watch throughout. Tiger Orange is not a porno, that is of course the first thought that will cross your mind, and understandably so. It is extremely rare for an erotic entertainer to cross over into clothed features.

There is plenty of skin, but no more sex than any other mainstream feature, less sex than one episode of many foreign televisions shows.

Tiger Orange is the story of two battling gay brothers, Hazzard plays the naughty, slutty, irresponsible, destitute, boyfriend stealing, sexier younger brother. So Hazzard is not playing against type, it might have been better to cast him as the sexually repressed older brother.

I don't know how much of Tiger Orange is improvisation, but it seems like Hazzard's real personality shines through. And he's a winner, the kind of kid brother, or next door neighbor we all fantasize about. A partner who's fun to be around all the time.

And that's the root of the problem in Tiger Orange. Younger brother always outshines dull, responsible, hard working, small town, respectful, plain, stable elder brother. It's a good script, and an engrossing story.

Sure, there's room for improvement, but Tiger Orange holds your attention from start to finish. At the emotional fraternal conclusion you yearn for just a little more. You don't want the ride to be over.