This independent film is a full version of a 2014 short.
Set in Brooklyn, NY, specifically Greenpoint, it is the story of Quique (Dennis Garcia), a young barber who is struggling with his sexuality in a macho world which does not look kindly on gay men.
Only his cousin Rafa (Pierre Jean Gonzalez) understands and is supportive. At home, the women in his family want to know when he will get a girlfriend and there is a local drug dealing thug, Cuz (Keet Davis), who seems to be part of the family and is in Quique’s basketball group and who is busy controlling who does what.
Lots of gossip too.
Things come to a head when Quique spots Kevin (James Physick), a cute Irish guy who is visiting to sell his mother’s house. Sparks fly but the two struggle to get the relationship going and flowing.
This film by Dennis Shinners means well and has positive features but also suffers from some holes in the storyline and an inconsistent dialogue. There is a strange scene when Quique goes to a photgrapher who prepares portfolios for porn stars which makes little sense, for example. I liked the ending which is realistic if not happy ever after and Physick gives his character some great lines. The issue of being DL or discreet is a universal one and definitely believable here but Quique seems a little mature to be fighting this. Maybe the actor is a little old after the original short film on which this was based.
I would also praise the photography (Garrett Shannon) which observes this rather plain neighbourhood with interesting eyes and a vibrant soundtrack.
Nothing very new but honest enough in its own way.
2 stars
passionfilm 