John

There's not much here. The story centers around the male hustling trade in LaLa land. What might have been an excellent docudrama exploring the under represented lives of young men on the street completely misses the mark. First of all, the venue is all wrong. The producers and writers might have chosen a smaller town to focus their attention. Nobody cares about LA, it's way too stereotypical. Secondly, the writing is terrible. Then there's the acting which sinks this cinematic ship even further. John, around whom the picture revolves, has no personality whatsoever. We really don't learn too much about what motivated him to end up on the streets in the first place. He doesn't come across at all as a sympathetic character., the others even less so. This viewer wishes that the script had more socially relevant dialogue about the ups and downs of the life of a male sex worker. I also feel strongly that LA was the wrong selection for this yawn filled nonsense. Don't waste your time.

I can see what they were trying to do with this film, it just did not work.

I can appreciate the attempts to touch upon French new wave but it really does miss the mark.

This is a well worn and weary tale of street prostitution, attempting to blend realism with drama.

But the script is so disjointed and overlong. Whilst it tries to touch upon the different stories of various characters, be they prostitutes or their renters, it rests on cliche and feels too forced.

Whilst I can appreciate the rough edges of the acting (and their are some lovely performances) you need a strong lead, which this film fails at delivering. The lead actor is a one trick pony, utterly failing to portray any complexity or depth to a role which requires it.

It also suffers from some confusion on its style in acting. On the one hand it wants to portray realistic and raw, but then throws in some completely contrived sections.

I understand there are people who will love this, maybe I just think we have moved on from this style - relevant more for a different time in film.

But it is not a total loss for me, hence the 4 stars. Whilst meandering and dull at points, it has some bright moments which makes it worth a watch.

I have to confess that I had been tempted to switch off at a couple of points early in the film. I really don't like opera or classical music accompanying a movie. It always strikes me as pretentious. And, as I'm going deaf, I had the subtitles on which irritated me when they flashed up saying "Operatic music playing" when it was actually Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Minor quibbles though as the action drew me in.

I was particularly struck by the camaraderie amongst the rent boys. And the supporting cast was convincing enough to make me wonder if they actually were streetwalkers. Peaches, despite her sharp edges was also a sympathetic character.

John was a bundle of contradictions, in turn kindly (to the congressman) and a thieving scumbag (with the poorer guy in the car). But no eighteen year old should have to carry his burdens, especially the final one.

This, despite some lighter moments, was a depressing film. Totally worth watching though.

John" (2023) is a thought-provoking action film that takes a unique approach to storytelling. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood, LA, it delves into the struggles of LGBTQ sex workers, drawing inspiration from Italian neorealism and the French New Wave. The movie artfully blends action sequences with a poignant narrative, creating a compelling and emotional experience for viewers.

The film's exploration of the lives of sex workers within the LGBTQ community is both sensitive and raw, shedding light on a seldom-told side of society. The characters are richly developed, and the cast's performances are remarkable, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles.

Masterfully combines elements of classic cinema with a modern sensibility, resulting in a visually striking movie. The cinematography captures the essence of LA's gritty streets and vibrant nightlife, providing a vivid and immersive backdrop for the story.

The action sequences in "John" are thrilling and well-executed, showcasing impressive choreography and intense moments. These sequences serve not only as entertainment but also as a metaphorical expression of the characters' struggles and determination.

While the film's artistic influences are apparent, "John" manages to create a distinct identity of its own, offering a fresh take on LGBTQ issues and social realities. It invites viewers to reflect on the challenges faced by marginalized communities while delivering a gripping cinematic experience.

In conclusion, "John" (2023) is an action movie that goes beyond the genre's conventions, using its unique storytelling style to shed light on important societal issues. It's a must-see for those who appreciate thought-provoking cinema with a mix of action and social commentary.

John is a movie about a teenage prostitute living in L. A.

I understand the makers of the film wanted to show the gritty side of male prostitution and that some of the clients are emotionally fragile men.

However, the film makers were more focus on making it stylish and ignored the story.

The issues of the movie are: Unlikable main character (I have seen movies were the main character was a jerk but at least make him or her an interesting jerk) John, is flat one note character.

The acting is bad.

John begging his friend for food but can afford to live in an apartment!

Transgender phobia: I found it concerning the transgender friend talks about the reason why she transition is because her uncle molested her!

That is incorrect! People who are transgender have gender dysphoria that is not caused by physical abuse.

Too many scenes of John eating.

As I watch I thought about another movie that has similar theme, Sand Dollars(2014). It was a better produced, written and acted movie that didn't miss the mark.

I highly recommend Sand Dollars.