Ganymede

While Ganymede isn't an Oscar worthy film by any means, it isn't the worst film I've ever seen. The acting is good and script is decent. Jordan Doww is a stand out (in my opinion) as a young closeted gay man struggling with the need to repress everything about himself. David Koechner's preacher character is so eerily believable that you almost forget he's the same actor from Ron Burgundy. The only character I had an issue with is Kyle. I felt he was far too self-absorbed and annoyingly persistent that I ended up hating him in the end. The thing that affected me the most about this film is that attempts to "fix" young homosexual men is still a relevant topic today and that's scarier to me than any horror character.

I did not expect much when selecting this movie on Amazon prime but it really surprised me! "Ganymede" presents a compelling fusion of coming-of-age narrative with elements of mystery/horror. Jordan Doww delivers a powerful performance, effectively conveying the protagonist's internal conflict, complemented by a strong supporting role from Pablo Castelblanco. The directors demonstrate adept skill by using elements of horror to explore relevant social issues which are not widely known, notably motivated by religious extremism, next to the journey toward self-acceptance of the adolescences. Even though the movie is obviously fictional, I really liked that they explain at the end of the movie that gay conversion therapy is in fact a massive issue we face in today's society.

This movie does what a lot of coming out stories do not. It really highlights the struggle a lot of kids from religious families will go through when discovering their sexual identity. You will often see in these films the fear, betrayal, and hatred of others, but the self hatred, self doubt, and inner demons are so much more powerful than outside hatred. Even when the outside love and support is so vocal, the inner monologue can really drown these loving voices out. Great way to tell the story of kids that are so often forgotten about when we say things like "coming out isn't even a big deal anymore".

All this being said, the movie also has a lot of loving and light moments to it. Even some comedic aspects are thrown in, which are very much needed for such a sensitive topic.

The actors also understood their assignments. From super serious to very bubbly personalities, you get to see it all, and see how these types of people react to the gossip of someone coming out. Something for everyone to relate to in this movie.

Still the premise and basic story and concept aren't awful.

One could almost simply go down the cast list and realize just how this movie was doomed to rate.

Its a long list of D list or one hit wonders and so on or never were's.

It even has cliched obligatory shots for some reason that are purely cinematic but anything but realistic in the least.

There are even fairly obvious technical details that id pick at if i had any prior expectations of such detail being addressed well.

Frankly im amazed at how not awful tv movie it managed to be while still rating overall in the same field.

Still there are some good bits. Frankly this could have been cut into a short form short film and be amazing cutting all the padding and dead weight out to make it reach feature length if not feature worth.

Still don't let me mislead you from not seeing if it might be for you at the right time and place because i watched more than my share of 4's and 5's in my own youth for anything but reasons like taste or sophistication.

Often quite the opposite i was more engaged by simple or low brow entertainment action violence and of course every teen boys favorite accessible nudity to some degree in the distant days before free internet access to such things was so pervasive and mainstream.

The great thing about bad movies and bad times is sometimes you need them if only for the contrast to appreciate similar content done to a much better overall quality.

How would we know a far superior version of the gay sexual awakening trope versus family complications traditions or sometimes strict religious fundamentalism if we didn't have something terrible thrown into the average of such genres?

Ganymede seems somehow necessarily bad. When you are content to invest less and make less as long as you can line up profits overall.

I almost think the worst part about it is the unfortunate name choice.

To me it doesn't make a lot of sense despite a minimal attempt to explain it in the film. After trying to understand the choice there are so many seemingly superior options of other mythical characters that would surely fit so much better than this story.

When you don't have all day and endless resources this is what you get when you just have a job to get done.

I wished see it , the main source of interest being, off course, the title. And I was not exatlz desapointed by it . Only, in some measure, surprised by the appetit of director to collect themes, subjects in pure chaotic manner , against an order who use, in fair, wise manner, the generous material.

Because all remains in mist at final, a so fake final than you have chances to feel some embarassment.

Sure,Jordan Doww shirless , the psychosis of his Lee Fletcher ( relative of admirable Jessica Fletcher ? ), religion art wall , with the hypocrisy as stigma, a Kyle Culper having all virtues of annozing character ( sure, a teenager in love, so, some reasonable excuses ) and a principal pure unrealistic scene by scene.

The problem is the wasted potential of story and good premises in desorder. In short, a lot of sketches drawn on the run. And obsession of monsters who are so bad defined . The use of ECT by a pastor and the confrontation between Floy and her brother are the worst scenes. The good point - the wrestling contest and the show of Kyle. Is it enough ? I do not know .