Dog Tags

Written and directed by Damion Dietz, Dog Tags opens with "Nate" (Paul Preiss) getting ready to head off to the army. We see that he is close to his mom, but not really so close to his girlfriend Trish. At the same time, we meet "Andy" (Bart Fletcher), serious and sad, who isn't sure what he wants to do, and doesn't fit in with his peers. Then we go to flashback, and see how Nate and Andy meet up, and THAT is an interesting story. We learn things about BOTH of them that they themselves hadn't known before. They have both come from extremely dysfunctional home-situations, with major gaps in their family histories. We "flash forward" here and there, and sometimes it takes a minute to figure out what's going on, but overall a good script and good story. Some nudity and sexual situations - definitely not for the kiddies. The only drawback I found was that there are no-subtitles for the hearing impaired. I see there is a director's commentary track, so that might be fun to hear. Impressive first starring role acc to IMDb (is that right??) for Paul Preiss. Fun and tastefully done.

Because of the DVD cover picture and some reviews I had read, there was an expectation that this little indie would be just another Gay Consciousness Raising Film, that is, another predictable tale where boy meets boy and both fight and then realize they have good sex together and will love each other for eternity no matter what happens. I'm glad to say I was wrong; this film offers a more complex view of human behavior, dealing with individuals who learn about one another by listening, by caring, by questioning, and ultimately, by growing in positive ways from their being tossed together purely by chance. I would recommend sticking with this film past the first ten or fifteen minutes, and you may get wrapped up in director Damion Dietz's exploration of friendship, family, and a search for some kind of meaning in a haphazard world. Its a film with heart about people who need a helping hand and as such does it's job very well.

Dog Tags is the story of two kids who meet like ships in the night at a porn producer's desert home. One's an aimless party twink whose fathered a child in a moment of inebriated weakness, the other is a very hunky marine who comes from a real white trash background and is unsure of his sexuality. The roles are respectively played by Bart Fletcher and Paul Preiss.

Would these two very competent and attractive leads were worthy of the film. Dog Tags is a film sending out a real mixed message. Preiss has himself a real winner of a mother in Candy Clark who's picked out a bride for him, another version of herself from the bar she tends. When he comes home unexpectedly and finds her cheating, Preiss finds out it's been with half the customers there.

As for Fletcher he's also got mother troubles in Amy Lindsay, a woman who insists on being a diva when her diva days have long passed. Preiss also due to Fletcher's influence is thinking real strongly of going AOL. Not a real good idea, that's a decision that will affect the rest of your life gay or straight.

Preiss is on a quest for his dad and for the life of me I never understood why Clark just didn't come right out and tell him who is father was. No big deal when he found out. Just part of a very confused plot. I will say the male sex scenes were handled tastefully.

Some interesting points in Dog Tags, but definitely below average.

This film is a complete surprise. It starts out so slowly but before you know what is happening it keeps building and building until you are totally caught up in the unfolding drama which is quite remarkable in the way it is done. The cast is absolutely perfect, especially the two mothers who galvanize the story to such a degree that it is amazing. Yet there is the "missing" father in the background who in one scene utterly wraps you up in the situation that no one would want to be in yet the male lead finds himself in. The male lead, Paul Preiss, apparently has quit acting and according to his web site he is now directing commercials and short films. I can certainly understand why he would give up acting, after all, it's a no win situation unless you hit it big, yet it's too bad because he really is a natural. But the other male lead is also wonderful and the two of them together are electric. This film really is very touching.

It is hard to find this genre and have it acted well. I found DOG TAGS to be one of the best I have seen in recent years. The story is moving and believable. The characters are well drawn. Brad Fletcher is fantastic as Andy the carefree gay guy. On the surface, he is free-wheeling, but underneath he is vulnerable. Paul Preiss is amazing as Nate the marine recruit who is trying to find himself and his long absent father. He is strong and sensitive. After Nate and Andy meet in a less than ideal setting and a bad experience happens for Nate, the two form a bond. In the end, they are left with hope for better lives. I think it is wonderful that we are getting some better gay genre movies of late. SHELTER, LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP, BACK SOON and OUTING RILEY to name a few. I am glad to add DOG TAGS to my recommendation list. See it, I don't think DOG TAGS will disappoint.