Tiger Orange

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.

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.

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)

A well done and, as far as I know, a unique story concept. Not sure how rare it is for two brothers to be gay, but the situation was quite believable.

"Johnny Hazzard," the former porn star, turned in an exceptionally good performance. He is obviously multi-talented.

Two gay sons of a small town hardware store owner turn out to be totally different personalities.

Todd, the younger brother left home for LA. He is brash, angry, confrontational. Chet, the old brother stays at home, looks after his father during his final illness and death,continues to run the father's hardware store. He is an introvert, lacks self-confidence and has become resigned to a solitary life. He is openly gay and is accepted within the small community because he isn't in anyone's face about his orientation.

When Todd leaves LA and returns to the small town because he is unemployed and without money, he definitely stirs up the town and unsettles Chet as they try to reconcile and reconnect.

The acting was great. Todd/Johnny Hazzard makes the movie come alive. The young man who plays the local police officer also did an excellent job.

Well developed plot and some thought-provoking issue resolutions. Definitely a worthwhile movie to see.

The movie is great. Strano and Valenti give life to two brothers who really seem to be real. Two different characters together in struggle to be themselves. In conflict with their inner being and apparently between them, they give life to the sense of brotherhood which should be between two brothers and also friends. One who tries to be as much free as he can, the other one close to the sense of family. Both will get to the same goal eventually being in a brotherhood of love and free. Director manages to express the loneliness of both different characters, the tireness of life till they find themselves in the end. I recomnend everyone to watch this movie because it has a powerful message for everyone.