The Wolves of Kromer

I really enjoyed The Wolves Of Kromer, more than I expected even. It's a small and heart warming film which takes the werewolves as an allegory for young gay men who search their place in the world. The film had a lot David Lynch feel to it, it was comedy and romance combined with creepy undertones and unique-dark-bizarre shots using special lightning techniques. several shots were truly a masterpiece and got me staring for a while. The scenery was beautiful and very pleasant to look at, so were the actors. The acting was very good, the characters' lines felt like each is actually saying what they are feeling (I actually felt a bit like i'm watching a play at some of the parts). I loved the implementation of a modern fairy tale (seeing the couple once boating in the calm river and on the other hand riding a bike). I loved the atmosphere. I even loved the fluffy tales! it was so sweet and original!! (reminded me of anime cat boys) I loved everything about this film, it's not very common for me to give such a high grade but this movie deserves it. :)

Loved Wolves of Kromer. Of course I have to say I watched it because of Lee Williams, who is always beautiful and a delight. This movie has the feel of a made for TV movie or after school special. Set in a small village in Great Britain, that is plagued by wolves. Now the wolves aren't really werewolves, or the 4 legged kind of wolves, they are people with claw-like finger nails, fangish teeth, and tails. Really the wolves are supposed to be gay people. The pretty young boys who want nothing but to sing, dance and romp with each other, harming no one, but are blamed for everything wrong in the town. a Metaphor for "somethings wrong and I don't want to look at us. So, of course, it's them!" My favorite relationship besides that of Seth (Williams) and fellow wolf Gabrielle (James Layton) is the relationship between the priest and a young boy. (No not in that way) The priest who acts like a closeted wolf himself, tries to convince the boy that wolves are evil, sent by Satan, and must be killed. The boy is always asking questions like, if the wolves must be killed why aren't they mentioned in the bible, and why can't we just leave them alone. To which, the priest just responds with non-logical rhetoric, while all the while looking more obsessive and more bent.

I'm always dumbfounded when people equate budget with quality (think of all the high-budget/ low-quality Hollywood movies that dominate the cineplexes). So, yes, this is low budget -- thankfully -- there's no fancy make-up or special effects, and no CGI. This movie is based on a PLAY. And it's filmed that way (not "opened up" very much from the source). Regardless of how you feel about this specific film, please be aware that there are many fine films out there, of varying budgets, that are presented stylistically as more of a play. Most of the time it is an artistic decision having nothing to do with budget.

As far as the content (plot, performances, etc.), I can easily understand why there's much dissension in these areas of this particular film. Certainly this is not a movie for the unwashed masses, or even the washed ones! What I like about it is that it's part murder mystery (not a whodunit) with social commentary, and touches of black humour (I guess in many ways, stereotypically British), not to mention the charming and handsome leads. The Wolves of Kromer is to me what Brokeback Mountain is to many others. So if you want a big-budget flick with big American stars (that's also high in quality), go climb the Mountain!

The message is one we've heard before, but it is nicely, sweetly told in this parable. What was the message? Don't be mean to people who aren't like you. There was more to it than that, but that was the main point -- and one that is well placed in a fairy-tale form. Rather than a Rosa Parks-esque sort of saga that leaves you with the feeling that the author wanted to pummel their message into your skull, Wolves of Kromer was light... despite a mixture of sadness in it. It was also refreshing to see the main characters, the wolves, were petty thieves rather than unblemished icons. I'm sick of movies that make the downtrodden into martyred saints rather than admitting everyone has failings. Few people are Gandhi. As such I was happy to find that though the people were all story-book caricatures, no one was pure goodness. And while the wolves a bit 'bad', the movie's village folk are more unscrupulous towards each other than the wolves were towards them.

The actresses playing the old servants gave excellent performances. Interestingly, the film had trouble casting the 2 lead roles as few actors wanted to tackle the openly gay parts in this context. According to the director (who was at the screening I saw), this lead them to put models in the leads. They did quite well.

This could almost be a kids' film, but for a scene where a girl is too obvious about enjoying sex. I would like to have seen that scene toned down so the film could reach a younger audience.

The movie takes place in a small British town. Seth and Gabriel are gay, in love and are werewolves. Meanwhile the townspeople are out to kill them because they're "different".

In this movie the werewolves are (very obviously) a metaphor for gay men. In fact the two actors are always in human form even when they're wolves (this movie was made on a VERY low budget). They just wear fur, have long claws for fingernails and have tails (a big mistake--they look laughable).

As you can tell, this is one strange movie. It's well done, beautiful color and scenery and a lush music score. Also, some of the jokes are quite funny but there are plenty of groaners too. The message is also very pro-gay. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't always work.

The acting is bad (it's obvious they hired models, not actors) and this is a cute idea but it's stretched out to 70 minutes.

So, it has its moments (especially if you're gay) but doesn't work as a whole. Still, I recommend it. When it does work it's great!