Get Real (1998)

One of the Best Gay Coming Out Movies
The first time I watched this movie, I immediately got emotionally attached to the characters, especially the main character Steven (played by an excellent Ben Silverstone). Like the title suggests, this movie is "real"--a believable tale of what it's like being gay in a school where it's not accepted and everyone is 'in the closet'. No spoilers here, but the ending is very emotional, realistic, and will probably make you cry.

After renting this movie, and watching it a couple times after that I decided I had to buy a copy. You will watch this movie many times and not get tired of it!

A bit of a personal opinion: This movie is a UK movie (I'm from Canada), and I'm a huge fan of foreign cinema in general, but the UK setting is great--I love how they talk, both the words and their accents. But that's just my opinion.

I give this movie a 5/5 based on the movie itself, and it definitely deserves it! One thing I didn't like about the DVD is that it lacks in additional features. It would have been nice to see some interviews etc. with the actors and/or directors but so be it.

In summary, I would highly recommend this movie for *anyone* to watch, it's not just for gay people. The issues dealt with are quite serious--homophobic comments/harassments at school, "self-homophobia" (i.e. denial of being gay), and others. At the same time, there is humour injected in just the right places. A prime example is Steven's best friend and next door neighbour, and her dealings with her driving lessons (you'll see what I mean). If you buy one "coming out" movie, make it this one!

GET REAL--FOR REAL!
This movie was first released in 1999, and I just now got to see it. Kinda' pitiful, but what can I say?

The film is a coming-of-age tale about high school student Steven Carter (played by Ben Silverstone). He is 16 and when the movie starts he can be found cruising of the neighborhood park bathrooms. He has admitted to himself that he is gay, and I suppose "any port in a storm," huh? The only other person he has told his secret to is his best friend and neighbor, Linda (played by Charlotte Brittain). Charlotte chides him for his indiscretions at the bathroom, but he urges her that he is ALWAYS safe. Yes, we all know what kind of safe sex goes on in bathrooms. Durinig one of his trysts, he accidentally hooks up with one of the high school jocks (played by Brad Gordon) who has managed up to this point to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to his jock friends bullying Steven.

I really wanted to like this film. I--and I'm sure many others who read this--went through a lot of what Steven's character goes through; however, I NEVER sought solace in a public bathroom. After the initial tryst, the movie then settles into a very run of the mill visualization of scenes: gay boy falls for jock, who is also gay but VERY closeted, they "frolic," are caught in lies, outted by the school newspaper, jock then hits/leaves gay boy, gay boy makes speech at graduation, ZZZZzzzzzzzzz...

The reason it was difficult for me to like this movie (and I do NOT recommend it) was because the actors--try as they might--could not deliver believable enough performances. Silverstone's attempt albeit feeble at breaking down during his speech was just that--feeble--as was Brad Gordon's attempt to explain his feelings. Both actors managed "sobs" but there were not tears. Steven's coming out speech contained so many pointed questions, but they were not delivered with any real emotion.

The movie is rated R for brief nudity, language, and sexual situations. Run time is 1 hour and 50 minutes. It was directed by Simon Shore, written by Patrick Wilder (based on his play "What's Wrong with Angry?" and was released in 1999.

GET REAL--FOR REAL!
This movie was first released in 1999, and I just now got to see it. Kinda' pitiful, but what can I say?

The film is a coming-of-age tale about high school student Steven Carter (played by Ben Silverstone). He is 16 and when the movie starts he can be found cruising of the neighborhood park bathrooms. He has admitted to himself that he is gay, and I suppose "any port in a storm," huh? The only other person he has told his secret to is his best friend and neighbor, Linda (played by Charlotte Brittain). Charlotte chides him for his indiscretions at the bathroom, but he urges her that he is ALWAYS safe. Yes, we all know what kind of safe sex goes on in bathrooms. Durinig one of his trysts, he accidentally hooks up with one of the high school jocks (played by Brad Gordon) who has managed up to this point to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to his jock friends bullying Steven.

I really wanted to like this film. I--and I'm sure many others who read this--went through a lot of what Steven's character goes through; however, I NEVER sought solace in a public bathroom. After the initial tryst, the movie then settles into a very run of the mill visualization of scenes: gay boy falls for jock, who is also gay but VERY closeted, they "frolic," are caught in lies, outted by the school newspaper, jock then hits/leaves gay boy, gay boy makes speech at graduation, ZZZZzzzzzzzzz...

The reason it was difficult for me to like this movie (and I do NOT recommend it) was because the actors--try as they might--could not deliver believable enough performances. Silverstone's attempt albeit feeble at breaking down during his speech was just that--feeble--as was Brad Gordon's attempt to explain his feelings. Both actors managed "sobs" but there were not tears. Steven's coming out speech contained so many pointed questions, but they were not delivered with any real emotion.

The movie is rated R for brief nudity, language, and sexual situations. Run time is 1 hour and 50 minutes. It was directed by Simon Shore, written by Patrick Wilder (based on his play "What's Wrong with Angry?" and was released in 1999.