Tyler A
I honestly really like the idea of this movie. I’ll be reading the book soon, so hopefully it’s better. The acting was a bit cheesy, but Nathan’s plot was so touching. I wish they added more dialogue and structure but to be honest, it’s not a bad movie. For those who are confused on the ending, (from my understanding) Nathan dies but his spirit keeps Roy company. It’s a really sad ending but apparently in the book they run away together instead so I will definitely be reading that. All in all, the movie isn’t horrible but could definitely use some work.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
04/27/24
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Audience Member
I've honestly seen better acting in porn than in this film, which honestly belied any of the sweetness or nuances seen in other LGBT-themed films; traits that are better found in foreign, namely European, cinema. I didn't feel as immediately immersed in this film as I have with others such as Jitters (Iceland, 2010), Jongens (Netherlands, 2014), or The Way He Looks (Brazil. 2014). Even though Dream Boy is in my native language, and has a simple narrative, it did nothing to transcend the film into the ranks of other fantastic LGBT films-- however, LGBT visibility in cinema is extremely important and, at the risk of sounding cliché, any press is good press.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/29/23
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Audience Member
Dream Boy follows the life of Nathan (Stephen Bender), a quiet teen who's just moved to a small Louisiana town deep in the country. It appears that he has troubled relationships with both his parents, especially his father (Thomas Jay Ryan) who seems to become enraged at every slight move Nathan makes.
Nathan quickly falls for the boy next door Roy (Max Roeg) who also happens to be the driver of the school bus. In an intimate moment over a school assignment, the two teens admit their feelings for each other and begin a hidden relationship. It seems that this relationship is suspected by Nathan's father and also Roy's friend Burk.
The story line of the movie is average, but due to the awfulness and awkwardness of the two star's acting, the film comes across as cheap and unprofessional.
There were also times in the film when I was quite confused about what was happening, ie the ending (spoiler alert) was Nathan dead or not, why did Nathan's dad leave his body there when he saw it, why did no one notice Burke drag Nathan's body upstairs and rape him?)
The twist at the end, that Nathan had been molested by his father as a child, is similar to the exploration of the effects of child abuse seen in "Mysterious Skin," which would have been a powerful moment if it hadn't been followed by such a ridiculous ending! All in all I have seen much better gay-themed coming-of-age themed films and I won't be watching this one again anytime soon!
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/16/23
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Audience Member
This is a beautiful and moving film.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/03/23
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Audience Member
I really loved the simplicity with which this movie unfolds a beautiful coming to age story. "Dream Boy" tells the story of Nathan, a new boy in town who falls for Roy, a school bus driver and student. Everything in this movie is very laid down, linear and simple. I loved the two main actors, the dialogues, the filming locations. Acting was really good, and I'd like to read the book this movie was inspired from.
I was surprised by this cute little movie. "Dream Boy" demonstrates how even the smallest movie can deliver a powerful, touching story. This one didn't move much from the starting point, but it delivers a very strong message, and it does that in a very beautiful way. I found the ending a little confusing, but in line with the rest of the movie. Many things are left unsaid and unexplained, but in this case I liked that. "Dream Boy" is a very peculiar, forgotten gem. Don't loose it.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
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Audience Member
If you see pass the flaws, some from acting, some from editing/directing and the cold unsettling conclusion, it is quite a nice film, the narrative is well - thought out and have a good contrast with very solid flow. It would made a 'larger' audience if it didn't screen in 2007, later or sooner exposure might have, in my analysis basing on the 'gay -themed/centered' movie trend and/or current. Wonderful scenic pictures and music gave the film an authentic feel of the period idea(70's), the early parts tumbled melodramatically and build up to the climax, with dark and vivid emotional drifting sense, and fall steep to the generalization, which probably would explain why most critics and viewers overlook it. A different style of writing(in movie adaptation), to where the end is not entirely unfinished but fell fast and/or separate(few major details left out/split) to be completely understood or unraveled, yet with the same purpose, to make the audience decipher it by themselves, or be a part of the story as the writer, figurative - meaning - wise, which didn't work in this film for all.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
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