How in the world can all of you say this movie is art?! It's about kids getting molested and one kid that likes to hook up with creepy old guys. Just give me reason as to why I should like a movie about boys getting raped.
shareI don't know necessarily that everyone IS saying that but...
It's well crafted, is one good reason to consider it art. The fact that it has an extremely impressive and underrated, career-defining performance by a very talented actor is another reason to consider it art. It holds a mirror up to society and unflinchingly examines its reflection, which some would suggest is the ultimate intention of art. It elicits a powerful response, as much art aspires to. It is a unique creative expression, which arguably also characterises it as art.
I would hope and assume that no one is saying that you "like" this movie. I don't necessarily think anyone should, could, or would LIKE it. It's disgusting and haunting and harrowing and traumatising and moving and enlightening and heart-rending and horrifying and upsetting and sickening and thought-provoking and disturbing and challenging...but likeable? I think not. How many movies can achieve that?
I think it is remarkable that a movie can exist that deals with this subject matter in the way that this film does, without being exploitative or preachy, without reducing the characters to stereotyped symbolic stock figures, dehumanising them further. It leaves no doubt as to how abhorrent the subject matter and situation is but doesn't seek to proclaim that.
I don't like it. I wouldn't recommend it to people. I don't actually think of it generally as art.
But I can still see how it can be called art and why people should see it.
Not saying that any of you HAVEN'T experienced anything like what the two boy in the film experience. But perhaps if you grew up either being homosexual or a victime of sexual abuse or sadly both, then maybe you'd understand why some consider this film art. As unrealistic as this film may appear, it simultaneously manages to be one of the most accurate depictions of what it can be like in the homosexual community. Infact this film depicts a threat that even today I live in fear of as a young gay male, and this subject hasn't been touched apon since most likely because the majority of people seem to think it's too provocative. I live in Australia and let me tell you I haven't even got though my teens with out the treat of any form of violence including sexual violence playing a part in my life or the friends around me who self identify in one way or another as being gay. This film wasn't meant to be entertaining and I'm glad the director chose to tell this story in the way that he did.
shareSeeing is believing, you see it and you know what it is and you know it is real so be on your guard, don't believe the whole "everything will be fine" and don't believe the "that person is a saint". Never ever leave your kids with strangers or even with friends unless your gut tells you not to.
Listen to your gut. This movie taught me if I became a parent I'd be a serial killer and going after guys like the coach.