User reviews

I saw Boy Culture yesterday at the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, having seen and enjoyed Q. Allan Brocka's last film, Eating Out. Once again we are in the rarefied atmosphere of the buffed and the beautiful - three pectorally perfect young studs with an apartment from the pages of Wallpaper magazine.

But the surface perfection hides a trio of unhappy people. 'X', the un-named narrator is a high-class rent boy with a select group of only 12 clients - the Disciples. Andrew, his room-mate and object of X's affection is a stunningly handsome boy who wants both love and an open relationship. Completing the triptych is Joey (aka Blowy Joey), a cute-as-a-button twink who plays 'son' to the dysfunctional duo.

X has a problem - not only is he in love with Andrew but his life as a hustler has left him able to have sex only when there is cash involved. Enter the enigmatic Gregory - X's newest Disciple - a reclusive figure who isn't quite what he seems.

Once all the protagonists are in play, Brocka does an efficient job of keeping all the plates of the various story lines spinning in an entertaining and engaging fashion. As X, Derek Magyar is not afraid to present an unsympathetic character, albeit one who asks for no sympathy from the audience. Andrew and Joey are a little too cute to be true, but their snappy dialogue and willingness to disrobe at any opportunity are ample compensation.

Indeed, many of the scenes and much of the dialogue have a saucy snap that puts Boy Culture streets ahead of the sweet but rather formulaic Eating Out - and the supporting characters that our boys encounter (especially Andrew's razor-tongued little sister) all play their parts to perfection.

But for me the film came most alive in the conversations between X and Gregory. Inter-generational gay relationships are the missing link of contemporary gay cinema, and the way in which their friendship develops is handled with great poignancy and charm, helped by an impressive performance from the great Patrick Bauchau.

I just came away from a screening of "Boy Culture" at the Seattle International Film Festival (where the director Q. Allan Brocka began his love of film), and thought "that was a very good gay film". The character acting was strong (especially the cameo part of Andrew's little sister "Cheyenne"). The audience all laughed throughout the film, which helped to ease the tension of some very powerful emotions. Derek Magyar pulled off the difficult job of being jaded and emotionally distant and yet a likable and charismatic character. "X" is part strong, silent, and manly and part Dorthy Parker with acidic observations. During the Q&A after the film, I found myself wanting to read more of the source material that Matthew Rettenmund has written in the original novel. IMDb doesn't give credits for Andrew's family but they really helped bring out his character more. While Darryl Stephens didn't have the same level of emotional non-verbal delivery that Magyar did, he was beautiful to watch and gave a strong performance. Jonathon Trent did a great job in the love triangle and made me think of the original "Queer as Folk" series.

There being only one other comment leads me to make my contribution. At no point could I see this film as being dark or depressing, unless of course once wished to 'make' any form of minority life negative in aspects. The premise is hardly romantic and uses a fact of gay behaviour: escorting and 'tricks'.I saw this film as part of the local Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and liked it very much. I believe one error is to make it factual or to align it to real life, as with most celluloid productions. I 'read' the metaphors in the film and saw perspectives that were either enhanced or exaggerated to make a story, e.g lifestyles. At the end of the day it's a romance almost. I won't go into more analysis as to do so starts to remove the simple enjoyment. Is ' Queer as folk" dark and depressing? Well it can be if one uses those elements to apply to the entire series. It only uses a premise to explore relationships and situations. I found it entertaining and enjoyable and wish it were available on DVD.

X, as we are told to think of the narrator of this gay love story, is a hustler. He has only a few clients, but they each pay him well. He lives in luxurious digs in Seattle. He has a couple of roommates and they give us most of the plot. X is cynical and clever, his friends are more romantic and maybe not so sophisticated. It all turns out more or less as you will probably suspect from very early on, but you just might have a good time watching it. I did.

The performances are spotty but all are at least adequate. There are a few sex scenes, but much more is hinted at than shown. I didn't notice a rating, but in a sane world this one could be PG.

As the author of the original novel, I think Q. Allan Brocka did a good job with the film. I have blogged about it extensively at boyculture.typepad.com and I think that my comments there capture my feelings on the subject. The director and writers kept the essence of my novel even while making some intelligent and creative changes. I can't imagine this film not being picked up by a distributor. All that said, it's very hard judging a film adapted from your own work. But I hope people like it and I'm confident that many will. There are a lot of gay movies out there that are not among my favorite films, that's for sure. But while I had feared something ridiculous might come of this adaptation, I can't stress enough that I feel the filmmakers did an excellent job.

BOY CULTURE looks like it might be trash, but it really is a treasure. The saga of a male prostitute dubbed X and his falling into love with his roomie. First off, the film looks terrific. This is a smart and classy movie. Second, the writing and performances are really quite good. Even the supporting cast is terrific - I only wish there were more time for them in the story. I loved the lesbian waitress and the entire family of the roomie. The story could have easily been trite and the dialogue cliché, but it neatly avoids that most of the time. It reminded me of an upscale episode of QUEER AS FOLK (before it devolved into soap opera hysterics). All in all, this is well worth a look see - gay or straight.

As more or more gay themed movies are released, it seems that the percentage of bad films has risen dramatically. That is why it was such a joy to discover this smart, funny, and wise movie that I can recommend to my straight friends as much as to my gay friends.

"Boy Culture" is not a good gay movie, but a very good movie period. It sports a terrific cast of three-dimensional characters and it is hot and sexy to boot. I have not seen their previous work, but if this is an indication of their output, I look forward to seeing everything they've done.

Kudos to everyone involved!

Just saw this movie and felt the need to post my first review ever, for the record English isn't my first language. This movie wasn't at all what I expected it to be, it was more...interesting. The story is about a well payed hustler called "X" who lives with his two roommates; 18-year old Joey whom he has a sort of father-son relationship with and Andrew that he has feelings for but never have acted on. X's career provides him with a very comfortable material lifestyle at the expense of his emotional. A new client, an elderly gentleman, stir up emotions for X and things can no longer stay in status Q. The movie is narrated with X's thoughts, which describes situations in a sarcastic and humorist precise way. The narration is such a smart touch to bring the story forward and makes the otherwise poker-faced X so likable, what he says in his mind isn't always what he speaks out loud. I didn't expect this movie to be clever in the way it was and sweet, the character of young Joey added a touch of "feel good movie" without being too much. The trailer depicted it very differently; hustler with promiscuous roommates was the selling angle. I really want to give the director credit for the lack of uncalled for sex scenes, movies about hustlers/prostitutes tend to use the excuse to add more sex. This is one of those movies that's not exactly gonna make my top-ten list but will stay with me longer than most!

I saw this during De Roze Filmdagen 2006 in Amsterdam. I found it amusing to watch this movie, but I didn't think it was great. The good thing about this movie is that it is an adaptation of a novel, so there is actually a plot. The bad thing about it, is that it suffers from the same disease that many filmed novels have, namely that whoever makes them usually has a hard time deciding what to put in and what to leave out.

So much for my global impression. Now let's talk about the main ingredient of the film; the drama. While there was certainly no lack of dramatic situations in the film I feel the meat of the dramatic situation was never decently fleshed out. Maybe this was a flaw of the movie maker, or maybe it was a flaw in the original novel.

My main criticism is this; what is the impact of Xs chosen profession on his life? Working as a rent-boy has serious consequences for the way you live, if you aren't about as shallow as a puddle. X does seem to be a person with a character of some complexity.

How does he deal with the stigma that society places on prostitution? Does he lie about what he does? Also, why are there no other prostitutes in the movie, does he shun them, and if so, why? How did he get the referrals to his twelve customers when he is not seen to be around any other prostitutes? Do his customers do that? The drama would have been much better if the movie had addressed these questions as well.

From Boy Culture, I have learned that there are some things a scriptwriter should know when throwing a script together.

1) Making the lead character speak in a monotonous semi deep and semi quiet tone, does not make him a deep, interesting or insightful character. It just makes him a character speaking with a monotonous semi deep and semi quiet tone.

2) If you want to make bible references think it through. References alone does not make it thoughtful.

3) If you need an amusing sidekick, the audience will surely appreciate if you actually create an amusing character with amusing lines, instead of throwing in a gay stereotype. He's helpless and shallow, we get it, ha-ha-ha.

4) If you want your lead character to be a luxury prostitute, you should pick an actor who's got looks and personality that men would actually shell out money to nail. A bitter guy with a monotonous semi deep and semi quiet tone is not really a courtesan.

5) If you want your movie to come across as insightful and deep, don't plaster the every scene with clichés.

6) If you don't know how to write believable dialog just admit it and find someone who knows.

7) If you want to include a "wise old man character", make him wise and not just old.

Okay, this listing is getting as pretentious as the actual movie, so I'll just shut my mouth now and let any potential watchers out there know the following two words: SKIP IT!

BOY CULTURE is a very fine little film and were it being evaluated solely within the confines of gay films, it would easily rate 10 stars. It is well written, well directed, well acted and has messages that cover a fairly broad territory (racism, homophobia, hustler life style, relationships, coming out tales and tales from the closet, etc). There are some technical flaws with the film and some unresolved character problems that prevent it from being what it comes close to being, but finally here is a gay themed film that is wise, entertaining, and user-friendly for a larger population than the community for which it was made.

The story is biographical in nature: "X" (Derek Magyar) is a male hustler who lives off the income from a limited clientèle of regulars, who occupies a living space with two gay roommates - Andrew (Darryl Stephens) and Joey (Jonathon Trent) - and who has what he thinks it takes to make him happy. The missing element is love, and in several ways he comes into proximity with that missing thread: his newest client is Gregory (Patrick Bauchau in a richly nuanced performance as a elderly closeted loner) who introduces X to the finer things in life, including introspection and looking for what is missing in his world. Andrew is a conflicted African American man who still misses the caring he had with a girlfriend whose wedding he is to attend. Joey has just turned 18 and looks to X and Andrew as father figures. The problem is that X and Andrew have deeper feelings of attraction and commitment to each other than either wants to admit, and the story (as narrated by X) is about how this mutual challenging need is resolved.

Q. Allan Brocka directed and co-wrote the film with Philip Pierce and the dialog is snappy at times and gently tender at others. The cast is quite fine: the young lads are top notch eye candy while bringing solid acting skills to their roles, and the older actors bring a since of resilience to the story that keeps it grounded in style. This is a very good little film that deserves a wider audience, one that needs to see this aspect of the population once considered merely peripheral. Movies like this help understanding interpersonal relationships, and everyone needs to address that. Grady Harp

A story of love with good eye candy! Nothing too significant in this film but enjoyable, watchable, and about being willing to be vulnerable & connect with others.

This was nice. Joey was beautiful, my favorite character for sure. The movie has some great dialogue but I kept wishing the acting was better. The execution wasn't the best, but it was entertaining nonetheless. I found the dynamic between the three main characters very refreshing and the whole love thing between two of them it was good too. The whole thing with the main character's older trick was a bit weird. Again better acting and execution could have made the whole thing better. I liked the way it ended but I was kind of disappointed and hurt for Joey. He was the one guy who was acting well anyway. The movie on the whole, I think its one of those who take the stigma off prostitution and I liked that.

I have no doubt that "Boy Culture" may be adapted based on someone's biography, because the character traits of the characters in the characters are equally full even in supporting roles, and the various people and feelings are also delicate and proper.

It is rare to see gay cinema that is thoughtful, witty, romantic and sexy all at once. Boy Culture is all that. The actors are great! The photography is rich and evocative. The setting (Seattle) is believable and supports the particular urban attitudes embodied by the characters. The story took me into a world different from my own. I laughed and was moved. It resonates in a larger sense with gay life (or male life) in contemporary society: What are the emotional risks needed in order to live a connected life? Our hard-won freedoms bring up questions -- about choice, and how we limit ourselves to guard our emotional wounds... This story is funny (rare in so-called "romantic comedies"!!) as well as touching and good-looking and sexy and smart! I loved it.

To say that Boy Culture, that latest film from Q Allan Brocka is a step up from his last, Eating Out, is like saying saying Hurricane Katrina is a worse disaster than the Northridge Earthquake. Eating Out, as many have noted, is one of the worst, most insulting gay-themed films ever made. It is a blight on the cinematic landscape. Boy Culture is mature step forward but I'm not sure how much credit goes to Brocka. The film about three displaced male hustlers is based on an acclaimed novel by Matthew Rettenmund and Brocka co-wrote the screenplay with Phillip Pierce. For the first hour, Brocka riffs on Trainspotting -- Brocka should have acknowledged Danny Boyle in the credits -- and the sloppy editing by Philip J. Bartell is a major annoyance. Most of what works here is due to the strong work by newcomer Derek Magyar, a stunning newcomer who invests his portrayal with insight and nuance not generally found in films like this. The other two young actors Darryl Stphens and Jonathan Trent are also capable, though Trent borders on caricature. One deterrent, however, is actress Emily Brooke Hands -- soooo shrill in Eating Out, here she's given less to do but she still has a nails-on-a-chalkboard screen presence.

I do not think of myself as a prude and having lived in gay neighborhoods in LA and San Francisco I feel I am very aware of the gay scene but I found the story superficial, tiring and not inspiring. I am tired of every gay movie being all about sex and no feelings. I also wish a character could have a real job like a lawyer, doctor or scientist and do they always have to be a male hustler? There are smart gay people who go to Harvard or wherever and change the world you just don't here about it because you don't know their gay because their lives are about more than just their sexuality. The acting was good and "X" was hot but the guy had issues and who would want to be with someone that just uses people. In 2010, it would be nice if gay movies reflected the real diversity of gay culture and not the typical hustler stereotypes. Life is about more than the size of your biceps thank god.

Hello,

My partner of more than thirty years was taken from me a few years ago by cancer. I loved him more than 'X' loved Andrew. I have not had anyone in my bed since. This movie brings back so many memories of him that I watch it many times. We had many, many good times together including road trips to California and Wyoming. Derek Magyar (beautiful) and Darryl Stephens (very sexy) were perfect together. I would trade places with either of them. The original story was about two white men. I was happy to see a mixed culture especially with Cheyenne. Joey (Jonathon Trent) was too much. I was greatly surprised that Patrick Bauchau played a part in this. I admired him in 'The Prentender' series. BUY THIS, you will not be disappointed.

I just wish that I could see a biography on Derek to include his date of birth and future movies, not TV series.

It is a fun story with handsome handsome characters. It is light hearted but not clichéd. I find it enjoyable.