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Rites Of Passage (Widescreen Edition)

Rites Of Passage (Widescreen Edition)

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Cliches and yelling
Review: The film piles gay son/unaccepting father clichés one on top of the other until the whole thing collapses. That might be amusing in and of itself, but the overwrought dialog consists almost entirely of yelling. The cinematography is nice, and Jason Behr is adorable. If that's enough for you, consider renting. I can't imagine wanting to own this so that I could watch it repeatedly.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Respectfully good cast / insulting script
Review: This film is much better acted than written. The five leads (Dean Stockwell, Jason Behr, James Remar, Robert Keith and Jaimz Woolvett) may not be major feature film actors, but all do a respectable job and create a certain suspense and atmosphere. And Heaven knows, it's not easy to act when your character is poorly written.

The main problem is the premise itself: gay son of macho father, who has chased son's lover away (lover then dies without son ever seeing him again), starts to write letters to a relative of the dead lover, who is in prison for being a rotten person. Through their letters they develop a "deep" relationship. Now it's time for the pen-pal to break out of prison, with a gay cellmate in tow, grab gay son - who is willing to be his accomplice - and the money that he buried before he went up the river (yes, the old bury the money routine!). Unfortunately, macho father shows up unexpectedly with straight brother at the family's log cabin in the woods, where the gay son is meeting his fugitives (talk about your bad timing!). Gay son's fugitive pen-pal now decides to have "fun" with macho dad and brother. Suddenly things get out of hand, tied up - so to speak - and the gay son, just can't quite figure out how to get his pen-pal back on the right track. In the end, he basically has to kill him (lets him drown, actually) and stoically goes off the jail, because now macho dad has become super pappa, who loves him to bits!

Boy, what some guys won't do to get their fathers' attention!

The other problem here is the fact that homosexuals are displayed as either stupid, criminal, psychopathic or all three. The film tries hard to be a legitimate "I-want-my-father-to-love-me-even-though-I'm-a-queer-film", but just can't pull it off without making gays look like the outcasts that their fathers think they are. Victor Salva (writer/director) obviously hasn't realized that some macho dads dislike the fact that their sons are homosexual, even though their sons are intelligent, good-hearted people, who are assets to society - not like the creeps in his film!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Entertaining
Review: This film was entertaining and had a few great parts. Overall it was just OK. I felt some of the acting was questionable and the story was borderline at times. I did add it to my collection but is not a top pick.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Life Lessons
Review: This is a film driven by characters. These are characters we like, hate, identify with; at at times wish we didn't. The action or suspense of the film don't drive the story, but the relationship between father and son does. Dean Stockwell and Jason Behr play their roles to perfection, and what this movie does is make neither one of them the bad guy. Both have said and done things that they wish to take back. But the point of the movie is that you don't take those things back. What you do is accept them, deal with them, and move on; that is how the healing process begins.I think this is a great film and one that should be watched by both fathers and sons. I highly recommend it!!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Having Your Cake and Eating It Too
Review: This is a nicely constructed, well acted, lower budget movie. It gives a vivid depiction of the effects of homophobia and its resultant secrecy on family relationships and on individual behavior. Other reviewers have done a good job of describing the action and much of the acting skill shown. At its core, the movie could be viewed as projecting a fantasy of the gay son, Campbell (Jason Behr), against his father, Del (Dean Stockwell) as vengeance for the father's violent rejection of Campbell's now deceased lover, Billy. The escaped convicts Frank (James Remar) and Red (Jaimz Woolvett) get to heap various forms of abuse and violence on Del and threaten to exit with Campbell, all good revenge motifs. The curious thing is that, knowing Campbell's recent history and role in these events, Del is able to see past them and embrace his son at the end. The acting makes it convincing. Coyly-photographed Campbell gets both his revenge and his father's love. Frank gets to be the Bad Campbell. Red is a bridge from Campbell to Frank, just as D.J. (Robert Keith) is a bridge from Campbell to Del. While Behr, Stockwell, and Remar have justly received praise, Keith and Woolvett have also done a convincing job of keeping the main characters connected and sympathetic. Be sure to listen to the commentary track. Director Victor Salva and Jason Behr give a lot of information on the making of the film and the techniques used. The lighting and sound had many fine moments, as well as the actors. The deleted scenes and the stills give useful background information too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Memorable and unique.
Review: This movie feels like high-caliber live theater. That might be why some folks don't care for it. (I have a friend who doesn't think a movie is any good unless there's at least one car chase. It's just a matter of taste.) But as straightforward drama, this movie is memorable. The movie has heart and substance, and the actors should all be proud of their performances.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A incredible, powerful, movie
Review: This movie is a must see in my opinion. I had seen Jason Behr on roswell and I was captivated by his acting ability. So, when I herd of this movie I had to see it. There is some bad language but the plot and story line hold you on the edge of your seat. Every actor does a powerful performance. Jason Behr on the other hand stands out. He has this energy about him, as if he was born to be a actor. No question he will be a huge star. I was deeply moved by this film. It is a must see and will change the way you think in many ways.......

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A powerful and suspecful drama!!!!!!
Review: This movie is a work of art. It has everything you want and more. Every actor gives a strong preformance. The story line and directing are second to none. Jason Behr (roswell)gives the most powerful and pure preformance as a gay teen caught in a very intersting situation. This guy is going to be a huge star. You will sit on the edge of your seat and cry at the same time. Victor Salvo at his best. A must see movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Must See....A Must Purchase!
Review: This movie mixes drama, mystery, and heartache flawlessly. Jason Behr gives a wonderful performance which sould not be missed. If you crave films that explore non-traditional masculine roles, than this is one film that you should buy. There are some deleted scenes that every DVD fan loves to get. There is even a commentary with the director and Jason Behr. A must for the DVD collector.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Must for any collection!!!!
Review: What seems to separate this movie from other movies with a gay theme is that there is an actual plot and all the cast members can act. I was as much blown away by the acting as I was the plot.

Jason Behr was wonderful in this role. I am not a fan of Roswell, but I think that is about to change. James Remer could have not played the role of a psycho any better. I had to recheck all the locks in the house before I went to bed.

I am recommending this movie to all of my friends..


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