Dorian Blues (2004) User Reviews

refreshing

[phoenixeast · 8/10 · 20 November 2004]

I just saw this film at a gay lesbian film festival with some friends and we all enjoyed it. We liked the jokes and we could all relate to the pain of coming out. We were all hoping that we might see more revealing shots of the straight brother who is just adorable, but que sera sera. One of my favorite scenes was at the end when the star of the film is compared to his father. At first I could not see it, but then I saw the connection between the warped anger in each character. The angry father did a great job in making everyone fear him and truly believe that he was inflexible. The film took place in the early 90's. If I had one wish it would be for an epilogue.

A Smart, Snappy, Sensitive Coming Out Movie

[gradyharp · 8/10 · 23 February 2006]

Writer/director/producer Tennyson Bardwell is definitely a talent to watch. In his first venture into film, DORIAN BLUES, he has created an intelligent script with razor sharp dialogue, witty and acerbic and touching depending on the moment, and has cast his film with a fine groups of actors who obviously hold him in great respect, as the final product is a polished film that is always entertaining as well as informative. Few 'coming out' films flesh out the territory as succinctly and realistically as this.

Dorian Lagatos (a fresh and talented Michael McMillian) is sour on the world that doesn't understand him. His family is the microscope on his world: a right wing radical father Tom (Charles Fletcher), a seemingly ditsy but subservient mother Maria (Mo Quigley), and a brother Nicky (another bright and hunky talent Lea Coco) who is everything Dorian isn't - a jock, a ladies' man, and a happy-go-lucky high schooler. Dorian has an 'epiphany': he discovers the reason he doesn't fit in is that he is gay! With his discovery he finds some solace from another edgy gay friend Spooky (Austin Basis) but still feels he must remain in the closet. Finally he confides in Nicky who surprisingly listens to him and accepts him - just so long as Dorian doesn't act out. Frustrated, Dorian leaves for New York for college while Nicky wins a sports scholarship to another college. In New York Dorian finds the gay life, feels 'normal' at last, falls in love, confronts rejection and the games people play, and then lives a despondent life until Nicky visits him: Nicky has lost his scholarship. The two brothers make the rounds of Dorian's milieu until they receive a phone call that their father has died. Returning home Dorian must still face his anger at his father, though dead, and it is this anger that his mother (far more sensitive than Dorian ever knew) confronts Dorian and the message of the movie is completed in a very realistic and understanding way. Life's philosophy is not wholly bound to one's sexual preferences.

Michael McMillian and Lea Coco both give notice of being young gifted actors to watch. And the apparently 'film inexperienced' Charles Fletcher and Mo Quigley deliver radiant cameo roles. Indeed the entire supporting cast is excellent, perhaps due to the fact the Bardwell is a fine director! This is a gay coming out film that is intelligent, free of the usual visuals that distract the general audience, and one that has more healthy bits of psychology scattered throughout than many a feature film.Highly recommended. Grady Harp

sweet, comedic sketch of American masculinity that captures many of the intricacies of coming out

[MooreaMaguire · 8/10 · 1 May 2006]

The film captures some of the experiences that can be part of people's coming out: arrival at the point where you just don't care what other people think of you anymore; falling for the first mature gay person you meet who treats you as a human being (his therapist); temporarily going back into the closet, only to change your mind; the internalized homophobia of going out of your way to appear straight; sleeping with someone you're not terribly attracted to just because they're the only person you know of who's available and gay; the interactive relationship between the honesty that impels you to come out as gay and the honesty in other compartments of your life; family members not wanting to listen to you or to take your sexual orientation seriously (his dad); family members wanting you to hide and deny your sexual orientation (his brother); family members initially freaking out but gradually changing their attitude (his brother); family members wanting to have a relationship with you but trying to avoid the gay part of your life (his brother); the fact that coming out is a long process that keeps coming back to you, not a confession that lasts as long as it takes you to tell people you're gay.

The 3-dimensional characters were Dorian, his brother, his first boyfriend, his dad (though exaggerated in the service of satire), and his oblivious and out-of-the-loop mom (who shatters this characterization at the end, revealing her wisdom). Dorian is not sexually objectified or portrayed as innocent. Rather, his character is developed as that of a smart-assed but courageous, realistically awkward adolescent boy.

Another theme was the overlap between being different and being gay. Looking at the film summary and user comments (most of which I agree with), some people seem to have misinterpreted, in my opinion, what this film says about being gay. It is one boy's coming out story, not every gay man's coming out story. Not all gay people were always different. Likewise, not all high school students who deviate from normality are gay. Another phenomenon in the user comments was the idea that just because this was a good film, the actors and director are going to rise to fame. News flash: there are many, many talented and hard-working actors and directors who never get a big break.

Straight people (99% of whom I've observed to be ignorant of the myriad issues LGBT people go through in coming out and the fact that these issues are caused by our heterosexist, homophobic culture) should see this movie.

Dorian Blues doesn't stray from Hollywood's typical portrayal of a gay coming out story of a white, middle class boy who likes dancing and isn't good at sports (not to mention that one of its two black characters is absurdly dehumanized for a cheap plot advancement), nor does it overcome Hollywood's aversion to three-dimensional female roles, but it doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't.

Furthermore, its portrayal of the preciousness of sibling relationships despite gaps in understanding motivated me to write a letter to my brother.

More than anything, its message is of the harmfulness of our rules for how men should be. We often think of women as being the ones who are short-shifted by gender roles, but this film shows how they hurt all of us.

The Spanish-subtitled version is called "El Secreto de Dorian."

Realistic reflection

[Gordon-11 · 23 March 2006]

This film is better than I thought it would be! First, I found the story very realistic. It captured how Dorian struggled with his own sexuality in such a way that every person who came out can relate to. the good thing about this film is that, the coming out experience is very all rounded. it portrays denial, bargaining, acceptance, and then Dorian's adventures in the scene.

the struggle between Dorian and his father was very well portrayed too. to balance the hatred between them, there is a brother who is understanding and supportive. I have not heard of any of the actors before, and yet I found the acting above par and very convincing. i would definitely recommend this film to my friends!

A surprisingly thoughtful, genuine, and hilarious film

[toonhut · 7/10 · 30 July 2013]

I will keep it short since most users have already elaborated the details: it is a gem of a movie.

The acting, script, direction, and even the scope of the plot are simply captivating. Not a single dull moment. The story comes full circle, there are no clichés, and the viewer's intelligence is respected. Like all excellent comedies, more is secretly conveyed through humor than drama ever can. Filled with laugh out loud moments. I don't want to give out too many details, but is not just about coming out, but growing out.

8 out of 10 -- tempted to give a 9 and 10 does not exist in my book. I'm writing this right after watching it.

BLUES Clues...

[NJMoon · 7/10 · 11 March 2006]

I'm a big fan of the 'coming out / coming of age genre' but DORIAN BLUES left me without a clue as to what all the raves were about. The film's first half hour is marked by clever dialogue, realistic performances and a light comic touch that is fun without being frivolous. But as the film wears on, the script becomes more and more episodic, without satisfactory resolution to any of the episodes. A kooky high school boyfriend story looks like fun, but goes nowhere fast and is dropped. A therapy session storyline (complete with montage) is dumped in favor of a religious cure. This too, is conveniently dispensed with. Some of the film's second half is less than pleasant (an S&M trick, another failed boyfriend) and it is Dorian's inability to resolve his sexual identity issues and the screenwriter's inability to follow through on a satisfying plot that eventually get tiresome. The film also drags things out over too much time. A tighter timeline might have helped keep Dorian and his blues on track.

one of the best films at the 2004 Frameline SF Gay Film Festival

[russellld · 10/10 · 26 June 2004]

When the film was introduced as another coming out story, I was less than enthused, since although coming out is an important and (unfortunately) enduring subject to cover, it's been done often (both well and less-than-wonderfully) before. I was amazed, though, at how well this film dealt with the topic, but more importantly, what a thoroughly enjoyable film it was - the acting, story line, situations, characters and most of the all the humor - often conveyed thru the dialogue and really funny film techniques - was all first rate. Add to all this the fact that this was the straight director's first feature length film, and it is truly an amazing achievement. One of the most enjoyable screenings at this years Frameline SF Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Solid Movie About An Old Problem

[Bayamon_Hill · 7/10 · 1 September 2013]

This film benefits from really good acting and a strong, if familiar, storyline. Dorian is the stereotypical odd man out in his suburban town, the butt of schoolmates' harassment and his father's vitriol. It all seems so unintelligible until Dorian realizes he's gay. The one aspect of this film that is unique and wonderful is the relationship Dorian has with his straight, Daddy's favorite, brother, Nick. Instead of an oppositional dynamic, the movie sets them up as confidants and allies. The drawback to this film is that as Dorian becomes more comfortable in his homosexuality, he confuses arrogance for confidence. Dorian becomes less likable as the movie progresses. I also think the resolution of the film's greatest tension, the relationship between Dorian and his dad, was a let down. I think it is a testament to how much America has progressed that a movie about a kid coming out, meeting with criticism and hatred from his family, moving away to the big city, and finding peace when mean Daddy dies, seems so old-fashioned. Watch the movie for the historical curiosity of where gay culture was at in 2004.

Coming-of-gay story that transcends the genre.

[SharonYCobb · 10/10 · 23 May 2004]

I saw Dorian Blues at the 2004 Jacksonville Film Festival with a packed audience. The poignant, yet funny story of a teenager discovering his sexual orientation and his conservative family's reaction, was unpredictable and left me wanting to see Dorian Blues 2. The writing, directing and performances were world-class. Look for star Michael McMillian in big Hollywood productions soon. This movie came close to winning the Audience Award at the 2004 Jacksonville Film Festival and is getting invited to festivals all over the world. It won the Audience Award and the Emerging Maverick Filmmaker Award at Cinequest Film Festival 2004. This will be one of those indie breakout films when it gets distribution.

Entertaining but many Stereotypes

[Silitonga · 7/10 · 25 November 2013]

Fun movie, well actually, coming out isn't that easy, but this movie bring it up as simple issue, with funny joke, interesting character, and well done actors.

I like the acting. But, sometimes I don't really get Dorian's feeling by his language and tone. Somehow, Michael McMillian didn't get into his own character. There is time to laugh and there is time to cry, sometime he didn't get it, make me feel less emotional. Lea Coco and Steve Fletcher really did a great job.

I really like the script but I have to say full stereotype of gay man/homosexual. Like perfect brother, muscle, and sport. And the gay one, skinny, didn't like sport, always to blame, never done anything well and always the minor in every parents love (less favorite).

Let me make some comparison to some gay coming out theme. "Get Real" (1998) Steven Carter falling in love to John Dixon, school brightest running star while he look like a "nerd" and sometimes get insulted by other student. But, stereotype wasn't an issue here because that differences between them just a story about hard love and actually it wasn't love after all when John Dixon decided to shut up in order to maintain his reputation.

Another shot, "Mambo italiano" (2003), this coming gay movie is completely free stereotype. Even Angelo Barberini falling in love with "macho" gay cop and since school he already called gay, and even his father suggested Angelo Barberini to play hockey because it might be cured him, stereotype wasn't much problem here united family more important than what other people think.

For me, always interesting to watch gay coming out story. Dorian Blues good enough with 7/10.

Well intentioned mediocrity - there's a way to go yet

[grahamclarke · 5/10 · 23 April 2006]

It's clear that gay themed films need to be made. For decades the topic was strictly off limits and gay audiences denied any kind of representation on screen. Over the past years the situation has vastly improved with gay movies becoming something of a genre in itself. However gay audiences in their joy at being able to watch stories which may parallel their own lives, have all too often allowed their critical faculties to take a back seat. There's a sense of forgiveness and tolerance towards second rate acting, poor characterisation, weak plots and mediocrity in general. The need to encourage and support the genre overcomes all. The result is a slew of extremely mediocre gay films such as "Broken Heart's Club", "All Over the Guy", "Kiss Me Guido" and "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" receiving a lot of undeserving praise. "Dorian Blues" is no exception. The problem is that first rate director's are seldom drawn towards making predominantly gay films while young aspiring inexperienced gay directors are all too eager to realise their visions. This they do with actors who for the most are ill equipped for the job and scripts unworthy of being made into movies.

The inherent emotional upheavals of coming out makes for great drama. Naturally it's a process which has been delineated in a number of films. The feather weight "Dorian's Blues" hardly adds much to the sub genre. ( The British "Get Real" remains one of the best examples). It goes without saying that the movie is well intentioned. But that is not nearly enough. Gay audiences do not only deserve to have gay movies; they deserve good gay movies. Good movies are for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. People will learn and understand a lot more about what it means being gay by watching a well made, well written, well acted film. There's a way to go yet.

Great Film

[gooner1213 · 10/10 · 1 February 2005]

I thought this movie was GREAT. I saw Dorian Blues at a film festival in Michigan and it was WAY better than I had expected. I saw it in the morning and had just gotten into town after driving over an hour. I was expecting some poorly put together independent film, but it was very good. It was funny...at times hilarious, but also managed to stay somewhat serious when need be. It's a great film for people who are gay, especially if they've come out recently. Dorian is such a likable character, as was his brother. The movie did a fabulous job(you'd be laughing if you'd seen the film) showing the life of a teenager who just discovered that he is gay. As somebody who has been in his situation, I found that it was relatively accurate showing the feelings and situations that you experience right after coming out. I saw it with a straight friend of mine and he loved it as well. It's just a funny look at a young, somewhat awkward boy's life, just after he realizes he's gay. It's FABULOUS!!!

Trying for cute only gets you so far...

[Coralknight · 3/10 · 8 December 2018]

This is a film that few people...even gay men living on the east coast who came out in the 1990s will relate to. It is over-reliant on the main character playing a cute and quick-witted lead...which actually might have worked if the writing were in any way funny. The whole film can be summarized as "cutsie gay guy in east-coast suburbia has daddy issues". The end.

Dialogue was very real

[ahairyrice · 9/10 · 29 September 2005]

What I found particularly intriguing about this very enjoyable film was the honesty of the dialog. The characters spoke and acted the way real people would, or at least the way real people would if they were expressing what they were thinking. The characters were also not stereotypes. Even the father, who was the villain of the movie, was understandable as a person, however much one might disagree with his views. The older brother could have been made a less likable character if the film-makers had followed formulaic conventions, but they didn't. The result was more realistic if less dramatic. The situation of the main character, Dorian, was very true to the experience of many young people. The film was funny, genuine, real. I loved it.

Shameless fan of this film

[paulcreeden · 10/10 · 5 February 2007]

OK. It's a small indy film with small indy production values. However, it is cleverly written and quite funny. I laughed through most of it. I will admit that the story line mirrors my own adolescence (20 years earlier than the time in the movie). So, I am prejudiced. Michael McMillian, brilliantly playing the intelligent gay boy who confronts the straight patriarchy with searing wit and flat affect, is simply spot on. His delivery is flawless. Steve Fletcher does a great job as the overbearing father who dotes on the jock of the family and tries to run down Dorian. The dynamic between these two characters is very well done. The characters are fairly well developed. The mother is a bit dimensionless, but maybe that was accurate too. Frankly, in its league of smaller gay films, this one really stands out.

Hasn't the bar been raised?

[arizona-philm-phan · 8 March 2006]

A number of good things (one not so) have been said by 11 commenters preceding me, particularly about acting levels and the "realness' achieved in picturing a gay teen's environment at the beginning of the 1990's. I can't disagree with those points in the least, but do feel the need to express the following less than positive observations.

No notable bettering in this film of 1998's very well done "Edge of Seventeen." One would think, seven or so years after that earlier production, the bar would have crept higher.

While "Dorian Blues" does have lots of what I'll call 'cutesy' (the lead, himself, being particularly so), elsewhere there's definitely an 'OVERmuch' amount (film's first half) of:

--A Dad who could be best described as A 'Mean Ole' one & A Mom who could essentially be labeled as 'Mummified' (Mom only comes into her own at film's end........as does Dad, for that matter / LOL).

--A L'il Brother who enjoys the position of the 'Better-than' son (even if he is presented as generally supportive of Dorian and possibly his best ally).

Sadly, what there's an 'UNDERmuch' amount of is time spent on Dorian's New York City escapades (and I don't mean those with visiting brother-from-home.........well, this movie is supposed to be gay, for Pete's sake).

At bout's end, "Edge of Seventeen" remains the winner.

PS: Not much 7-years-progress evident to us in the on-screen romance department either: one very timid kiss. (Oh, I see, you don't look for 'that kind' of scene in any romance film, gay or straight. Interesting.)

****

Nothing Extraordinary Whatsoever

[Scoval71 · 5/10 · 6 May 2006]

Nothing extraordinary whatsoever and, to me, it is very, very mediocre. The story of a teenager who realizes he is gay and his dealing with reality. So nothing new. I felt the characters are ludicrous and unrealistic, like a cartoon, really. The only thing realistic here is how the ex-boyfriend, Ben, winds up with Andrew. That could happen and often does. Also when the student was bullying Dorian is very true to life. Otherwise, I find that the mother is a clown and the father just ridiculous---granted both, or all characters, may have a basis in reality, but these were too way out. This is a comedy, however, I did not enjoy this movie, and I don't find it funny. I see no redeeming or remarkable qualities about it, and I find it very plain. I also felt the casting and acting from the two brothers lacking.

funny funny film of self-awareness, coming out

[alanjj · 9/10 · 2 October 2005]

This was a perfect film to watch after a light meal and before going home to watch TV. Light, satisfying, attractive male actors, and funny. A few of the players stood out, especially Michael McMillian, who played Dorian. He has a great way of delivering a killer line--reminds me of young Matthew Broderick or Topher Grace. A winning personality, but great neurotic schtick. The younger brother (who is a straight jock) is hot to look at, but a lesser actor. Some of the others in the film were good enough, but are obviously local actors (upstate NY is where the film was shot, and where it takes place).

Cod Nickell, who plays Ben, is especially likable as Dorian's first boyfriend. If any of the other actors deserve to break out of Albany, it would be him.

The movie is slyly comical, with a lot of big laughs. The director aims for big slapstick in Dorian's pickup in an S&M bar, but it was so ludicrous that it took away from the offbeat, but realistic tone of the rest of the movie. It was pure cartoon.

There is nothing explicit (almost nothing implicit) in this movie, so it's safe for the whole family. I saw a lot of females in the theater, and they seemed to enjoy it as much as the men.

Close, but no cigar

[reidy-christopher · 3/10 · 15 August 2008]

This movie tried really hard to be a good little gay themed movie and coming of age film in general but it was done in by its flaws. The actors were all excellent, especially the two brothers, but I never believed they were in High School. And that's where the problems with this started. They seemed more like college frat brothers. It was as though the screenwriter/director forced everything to fit what was written, which causes the viewer to go, "Huh?"...When the viewer starts going "Huh?" you've got problems. And by the end, the "Huhs?" started coming fast and furious. The film started reaching for emotional moments it hadn't really earned because they'd never been established during the story and then it tried to cover way too much ground following Dorian from High School to college (in Greenwhich Village yet, where he manages to keep away from men for two years! Please!). The other major problem was the characterizations of the parents. The father was such an unrelenting asshole and the mother was such a zombie you just couldn't become emotionally involved in the family plot lines. Seriously, these boys could've given the Menendez brothers a run for their money with parents like that. Actually, the guy who played the dad used to be on the soap "One Life To Live". He played Brad the tennis pro who raped his sister-in-law, the ex-prostitute, played by Judith Light...which is weird, since she's so involved in the Gay Rights Movement. Interesting.

A Quality Film

[jrdallasjr · 8/10 · 26 November 2005]

"Dorian Blues" is indeed worth seeing. The acting is considerable. "The story" has been told many times, but this movie has an air of freshness to it, perhaps mostly because of the overall quality of the film.

Without losing it's low-voltage current of kindly nature and good humor, this movie came close to showing some deeper levels of inner-struggles of those around a person coming out. Yet the self-absorption of the gay character was allowed to overshadow the likely introspection of the overly macho dad, the gay-friendly quarterback and the not-so-clueless mother.

By necessity so many of today's (and yesterday's) independent art films are shot on low budgets and rather poorly produced, but this film appears to have had a big budget and top-quality production. The low-rent "statement films" are getting more difficult to endure (especially @ $9.50 a ticket), yet I understand the need for them.

Thanks and Kudos to the producers of "Dorian Blues!"

What a warm film... not blue at all!

[philip-ct · 8/10 · 12 April 2006]

I saw this film in South Africa, where it was appallingly marketed and I probably wouldn't have seen it had I not seen IMDb write-up.

This is a low budget film, with some unknown actors, but is nonetheless funny, warm, realistic (in places)and pertinent. The story is simple: Dorian is gay. How do he and his family cope with this? There are some hilarious moments: Leslie Elliard (who plays Dorian's therapist) is good.

The film focuses on the family dynamics. Lea Coco (the straight brother, Nicky) and Michael McMillian (the gay brother, Dorian) generate such an easy brotherly chemistry- the film's strength lies in its depiction of this dyad, in particular.

As the father(for whom Dorian has ambivalent feelings) Charles Fletcher is good, portraying an older generation with values and ideas that dare never be questioned. The film looks at Dorian's relationships within his family (a mother, played well by Mo Qigley)... but strings are too neatly tied up at the end; the fault is in the script, not the acting.

A warm, sensitive film that deserves a wide(r) viewing. Kudos all!

A winner

[droogsandyarbles · 21 July 2012]

This one is a real winner. Enjoyable enough to make me watch it twice in the same day. An actual comedy that made me laugh. Very well-written. Exceptionally cast and acted. This is a feel good movie.. I have no equivalent term for chick flick for a gay guy flick that isn't remotely unacceptable...but this is one of those. I watched this with a group of straight friends who loved it as much as me, laughed as hard as me and thought it was well worth the time, the popcorn and beer. I would love to see more films with this much thought about a gay subject with just as much realism as comedy. If you want to spend a little bit of an hour and half laughing your butt off... load this one up, bring in your friends... and just be prepared to have a dang good time.

To eBay or not to eBay?

[adamjohns-42575 · 3/10 · 28 July 2020]

It all started with such potential, a story that could bloom in to a romance and the fumbles and foibles along the way accompanied by the light and shade of a coming out story, but it really lost its way quite quickly. The cast weren't actually that bad if a little charicaturised and stereo typed and actually if there was a bit more of a story to it, it could have worked. I could see a romance happening between the brothers and I think I would have been fine with that or even with his therapist. I have recently watched an incest film called From Beginning To End, which I didn't really think had anything going for it, but I believe it would have been a good direction for this one. It could also have been good if the brother had come out at least. I'm not sure if it's going back on eBay yet, but it's extremely likely.

The best gay film out there

[Moana_Chimes · 10/10 · 4 May 2007]

This is the best movie with gay themes that I've ever seen. It's a small gem of a movie with terrific performances from every single cast member (down to the stock) and it has one of the sharpest accurate scripts I've ever come across in a movie. The movie generates a feeling of real life while still entertaining you in a "movie-world". I found that I identified with Dorian in a huge way and the movie feels like it's so good and so important to me now that I've seen it - I can list it in a way that I would say it was a life-changing movie. It's rare and beautiful when a movie becomes a best friend, something you can relate to and rely on when your own life gets you down - Dorian Blues is such a film and I would completely recommend it for gay people as well as straight people.

Rubbish

[la_montespan · 1/10 · 25 April 2008]

This film doesn't even deserve one star.

The writing is horrendous, the plot is directionless and the story has been done and done much much better. Visually it's hideous.

Basically it's the old case of "the original stuff wasn't good and the good stuff wasn't original" except there really wasn't anything good at all about this film.

The character of Dorian must be one of the most painful protagonists ever. He's not endearingly weird or even dorkily cute, he's just hopeless and the brother isn't much better, he just has better social skills. There's no character arc at all. You just hope Dorian dies alone and his brother has a drug overdose. Maybe he did actually, I don't even remember.

It's not comedy-drama because it's not funny and it's not a drama because it's laughable. Tragic tragic tragic and completely cringeworthy.