esrosedotblog

Today's film is, on the face of it, a conventional teen coming out film.

À cause d'un garçon / Because of a Boy / You'll Get Over It (2012)

Three titles. The French, the two English under which they seem to be having trouble marketing it.

The reason is that the boy, Vincent, does not get over it. Being gay, that is. So that is irony yet it really does not tell the whole story. Hence, I suppose the "Boy" title.

What is also unique is that the film is also about teens growing up. There are at least four but then also the ones who taunt and harass the boy we most want to see succeed.

There is a family too.

I don't think that the film is idealistic or unrealistic about how things actually work for gay teenagers. It is just on the optimistic side and that is OK. Years of teen angst, suicide, suffering and the rest need to be balanced.

That is not to say the teenage boy here is trouble free in coming out. But he gets support when he needs it and sometimes that help comes from surprising places.

In one instance from a very closeted teacher who opens up enough to show his hidden life and the price he pays. Vincent takes note. Vows, as we can see in his face, never to have this happen to him.

There is a nice difficult romance as well. This is where the "cause" comes from. You can run but not hide from love.

I liked it. I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5. Very nice. I am glad I saw it.

Labels: films