Poster Boy (2004)

The gay son of a powerful right-wing Senator has finally come out…but only at his college. His father’s campaign is threatened when his son’s secret is revealed. -Limited theatrical release (8/11/06) -Strategically released around the 2006 elections -Loaded with bonus features, including commentary with Director Zak Tucker

The Emotion showed through

I mean, come on. From a low-budget movie, you cant expect much, And I didnt, which Is why I was pleased. I will admit, it seemed a little erratic, but in the end it all seemed to come together.

I enjoyed the acting, I didnt once think any part of it was bad. I felt that it was politically charging, and it showed how a family can be ripped apart by something so insignificant as sexual preference.

The Star's good looks didnt hurt either, but it was the emotion portrayed by him that really made me feel for him. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone with an open mind for actors and companies trying to send a message. The emotion alone from the characters made me feel for them, and so again, I say, buy this movie. I thought it was worth it. October 18, 2007

Better than it has a right to be

I was expecting a little bit of fluff, but "Poster Boy" turns out to have an involving story and some wonderful performances. I actually didn't know how it was going to turn out until the very end. This is a low-budget, independent film. The camerawork may be a little unsteady (although I thought it gave an up-to-date feel to the picture) and the sound may be a little erratic, but I found this story to be gripping from beginning to end. Well worth seeing to decide on your own. January 22, 2007

Yay or Nay? An undecided vote.

I recently bought this DVD with some apprehension, because I had heard varying opinions on it. The verdict: Good story & acting, but flawed. The film has the hand-held camera feel of a Steven Bochco T.V. series, which, depending on your preference, either brings realism or detracts from the dramatic scenes. Actually, this film felt like more of a "dramedy" than a drama---humor kept creeping in to certain scenes. I empathized with Matt Newton's character of Henry Kray, a closeted son of a high-profile senator. He conveyed the agony that his character felt, being constantly controlled (or abused) by his father and frustrated by having to hold others back at arm's length & cloaking himself in anonymity, particularly Jack Noseworthy's character of Anthony, a liberal activist whose personal involvement with Henry becomes far more complicated than he would've ever imagined. Karen Allen injects the same appealing feistiness into her wife-of-a-senator role just as she had done as Harrison Ford's leading lady years ago in "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Michael Lerner makes his character a man you'd love to hate, someone who expects all--his family & entourage--to jump whenever he snaps his fingers, to dance to his tune. His portrayal is both a blessing and a curse--I felt he was TOO easy to despise. Yet, I'm sure there are real political figures who get "lost in the game"; they lose sight of who, and what, is more important in their lives. In politics, image & morality are everything, and as this story demonstrates, the "game" can have brutal consequences. The Skip character--who comes to retrieve the wayward son--is a spineless character, a hypocrite, a brown-noser. Just when you think he has befriended Henry, he turns on him near the end, siding with the father on how "disgusting" Henry's lifestyle is, although he accompanied Henry to a gay bar earlier on!
However, that coming-out kiss that Henry & Anthony share before a stunned press conference--and senator Jack Kray--made me want to cheer. Jack Kray DESERVED to have his family walk out on him; in a way, this is the film's weak point, as it becomes too obvious that the story is coming to this conclusion. Some plot points are too methodical; I could see them coming a mile away, and this is the movie's main flaw.
This movie has a strong theme reflecting on our current headlines: the closeted children of political figures, or even the outing of those officials themselves. If you can forgive its slight budget and obvious plot twists, "Poster Boy" can be a powerful drama. January 11, 2007

Solid story line, with significant current implications

This is a nicely done story that could easily be about major U.S. politicians of today. While most of the acting is monolithic, Matt Newton presents a gut-wrenching emotional scene that "made" the film for me, while Karen Allen supports the entire film with a character having many facets and plenty of depth. Michael Lerner's character is easily hated, and rightly so, for a stunning portrayal of a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do, belligerent, self-absorbed politician. January 1, 2007

Not About Underwear

"POSTER BOY"

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride



"Poster Boy" (HereTV!) is a timely, accomplished, wonderfully acted little film that will be released on DVD on November 11. The story of a closeted son of a right wing politician from North Carolina who becomes sexually and romantically involved with a liberal gay activist has plenty to watch.
Henry is a determined college student and the son of U.S. Senator Jack Kray (Michael Lerner) who is waging a battle for reelection. Henry who cannot abide his father falls for Anthony (Jack Noseworthy) who is a young, angry, radical queer activist whom he meets at a party that he and his (girl)friend Izzie crash. At the party there is a sexual liaison between the two guys and Henry realizes that a spark has been ignited. Anthony, upon discovering who Henry's father is, unites with a campus group which plans a disruption of the Congressman's campaign visit to be held on campus. Through mysterious circumstances and an amazing twist, Izzie is hit by the Senator's car as it approaches the college ad what ensues is fascinating. The climax of the movie is full of surprises as family values and the issues of love and honesty explode and are tested.
The film plays homage to the radical queer groups of our past and aligns itself to the political problems of today. There is a certain parallelism to the story of Mary Cheney and the senator's wife. Kray, the senator is nasty, rude, and hypocritical and the rest of the characters are beautifully developed.
The acting is incredible, the photography which is sometimes murky adds to the tone of the theme of the movie and I found an explanation as to why politicians cannot be trusted. There is a lot here to think about.
When I first heard a movie entitled "Poster Boy" was coming out, I have to admit I was expecting a comedy, perhaps something about Marky Mark and Calvin Klein underwear ads. What a surprise this movie turned out to be. Many of the gay films lately have been comedies so I was pleasantly surprised as I began watching this. It is a amazing film-moreso because it deals with the way we live today.


December 28, 2006

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