It's a shame the production is somewhat student-y and that some of the dialogue is muffled and inaudible, because this is a film that rings true. Two straight-acting friends, a hunk and a dropout, move in together, and we slowly start to piece together just what kind of relationship they have - which is appropriate, since they don't appear to know either. This is what I liked best about this film - no neat resolutions, no flashes of insight, just a realistic and sometimes painful muddle of emotions and situations that have to be dealt with as best as can be, which usually isn't very well at all. That's certainly been my experience of dealing with sexuality, outside of the commercial gay ghetto anyway - real-life grappling with queer issues isn't neatly resolved in three acts and buying a Pride T-shirt doesn't make it all better. So this is definitely worth seeing, if you're not expecting Dolby stereo and answers to all your questions.
29 Reviews
Rich emotion overcomes poor technique
dalriada42-120 January 2006
I pulled this one off the shelf at the video store without any idea what to expect out of it. The filming and particularly the sound seem amateur - don't look for special effects, or even for particularly revealing camera-work, and there are a few scenes where the dialogue is difficult to make out.
But what this movie is, is honest. Unlike in Hollywood, life doesn't have a script and doesn't always work out to "happily ever after", and the film has an uncertain, occasionally almost disjointed sense to it that reflects that. The lead actors, playing Troy and Merrick, acknowledge it as well; even Troy, who from the beginning seems to know more or less what he wants, doesn't know how to get it, and so is just as uncertain as his friend. The acting is understated and very believable, all the way to the end.
"Latter Days" has some similar themes, and would probably be enjoyed by those who like this movie, but like its setting in L.A. itself, "Latter Days" is at times a little bit larger than life. "Denied" has a down-to-earth, earnest feel to it that for the most part overcomes its technical shortcomings.
But what this movie is, is honest. Unlike in Hollywood, life doesn't have a script and doesn't always work out to "happily ever after", and the film has an uncertain, occasionally almost disjointed sense to it that reflects that. The lead actors, playing Troy and Merrick, acknowledge it as well; even Troy, who from the beginning seems to know more or less what he wants, doesn't know how to get it, and so is just as uncertain as his friend. The acting is understated and very believable, all the way to the end.
"Latter Days" has some similar themes, and would probably be enjoyed by those who like this movie, but like its setting in L.A. itself, "Latter Days" is at times a little bit larger than life. "Denied" has a down-to-earth, earnest feel to it that for the most part overcomes its technical shortcomings.
Poor production, slow pacing but it has a redeeming script
aretel14 March 2014
Writer/director David Scott's script has all the elements that are needed to make this a great film, but it is unfortunate that he fell short of his mark by making this film a less than adequate production. Although the script was very good and entertaining, the film's flow was awkwardly choppy which incorporated extended black screen transitions with audio, and although effective at first, becomes overwhelmingly tiresome by the end of the movie. The slow pacing took away any momentum that this film may have had, which contributed to this films awkwardness. The cinematography, although raw and a bit amateurish does have some very good scenes which enhances the realism of this film.
The two main characters Troy (Lee Rumohr) and Merrik (Austin) were well cast to play two high school friends who developed a tumultuous sexual relationship filled with grief, deception and despair. Rumohr and Austin had great chemistry together on film which made their characters believable and real. The film itself was well cast and the rest of the actors provided depth and character development which was the film's saving grace.
This film is worth watching due to the redeeming quality of the story line and acting, all which were very good. However, don't be surprised if you get irritated by the poor pacing of this film.
The two main characters Troy (Lee Rumohr) and Merrik (Austin) were well cast to play two high school friends who developed a tumultuous sexual relationship filled with grief, deception and despair. Rumohr and Austin had great chemistry together on film which made their characters believable and real. The film itself was well cast and the rest of the actors provided depth and character development which was the film's saving grace.
This film is worth watching due to the redeeming quality of the story line and acting, all which were very good. However, don't be surprised if you get irritated by the poor pacing of this film.
Flawed, but intelligent. And real
bmbmbb21 November 2004
Denied is worth seeing for it's performances and an intelligent story. We don't often get 'intelligence' when the story deals with love between two young men. More often we get titillation instead of dialogue, and tragic endings where reality would have sufficed.
In Denied, we get both intelligence and reality. Unfortunately we also get a transfer to DVD that is sometimes too dark (but where blacks are not deep and solid black) and sound that is too often muffled. The dialogue in this movie deserves more respect. Canadians have built a reputation in the industry for natural lighting techniques,and location sound clarity - a reputation that suffers here.
The story, dialogue, and performances - particularly Lee Rumohr as Troy - all ring true. I knew a 'Troy'. I know what I'm talking about, and this film does, too.
This is a film with heart and soul. It is flawed, but it is far from unwatchable, and it is a worthy addition to the DVD library of anyone who has an interest in the travelogue of the young gay heart.
In Denied, we get both intelligence and reality. Unfortunately we also get a transfer to DVD that is sometimes too dark (but where blacks are not deep and solid black) and sound that is too often muffled. The dialogue in this movie deserves more respect. Canadians have built a reputation in the industry for natural lighting techniques,and location sound clarity - a reputation that suffers here.
The story, dialogue, and performances - particularly Lee Rumohr as Troy - all ring true. I knew a 'Troy'. I know what I'm talking about, and this film does, too.
This is a film with heart and soul. It is flawed, but it is far from unwatchable, and it is a worthy addition to the DVD library of anyone who has an interest in the travelogue of the young gay heart.
A very bad movie, and that's a damn shame.
smegma231 May 2008
I was rooting for this movie, even as my every hope was smashed the whole way through: all the elements of a truly engaging, affecting, sophisticated picture are here, but they are botched beyond belief. Maybe somebody could give director David Scott a bigger budget and a staff and they could try it again from scratch.
The basic premise of the movie--requited but unacknowledged love--will ring true with a lot of queer folk: "You make love to me all the time. Why can't we just be boyfriends?" (That may have been one of the lines, actually, but the sound on this movie is so very dreadful I suspect I caught less than a third of the dialog.) There's no reason this film shouldn't resonate with anyone who's been in the position to rue their beloved's denial of acceptable, respectable, publicly avowed togetherness. And I suppose it does, with those more forgiving of its many distracting flaws. Am I unrealistic in expecting a certain basic level of competence from a movie?
The young actors are not without talent; or, at any rate, they are much better at what they do than the director, who frames extremely long static shots (such as that of Troy and Merrick discussing their issues in the living room) with no visual relief, no character movement, and no particular tension-building purpose. Not to mention the astonishing percentage of frames in the movie that feature Troy's obliquely downcast, unchanging stare-into-the-abyss! (Perhaps we should be thankful that Scott did not devote equal time to capturing the abyss staring back into Troy.) One is reminded of The Brown Bunny, which was built of 8 sentences, a blow job, and 80 minutes of Vincent Gallo alone and looking like he's just eaten a fistful of bear scat.
Our writer-director allows his protagonist the dignity of doing the only responsible thing by the end of the movie: growing up and getting over Merrick. He even permits a cloudy, ambiguous split between them, in which the lingering affection is just as obvious as the need for separation. All this could turn a film golden, win awards, and jerk tears like nobody's business--if only there were the tiniest shard of coherent film technique backing it up.
The basic premise of the movie--requited but unacknowledged love--will ring true with a lot of queer folk: "You make love to me all the time. Why can't we just be boyfriends?" (That may have been one of the lines, actually, but the sound on this movie is so very dreadful I suspect I caught less than a third of the dialog.) There's no reason this film shouldn't resonate with anyone who's been in the position to rue their beloved's denial of acceptable, respectable, publicly avowed togetherness. And I suppose it does, with those more forgiving of its many distracting flaws. Am I unrealistic in expecting a certain basic level of competence from a movie?
The young actors are not without talent; or, at any rate, they are much better at what they do than the director, who frames extremely long static shots (such as that of Troy and Merrick discussing their issues in the living room) with no visual relief, no character movement, and no particular tension-building purpose. Not to mention the astonishing percentage of frames in the movie that feature Troy's obliquely downcast, unchanging stare-into-the-abyss! (Perhaps we should be thankful that Scott did not devote equal time to capturing the abyss staring back into Troy.) One is reminded of The Brown Bunny, which was built of 8 sentences, a blow job, and 80 minutes of Vincent Gallo alone and looking like he's just eaten a fistful of bear scat.
Our writer-director allows his protagonist the dignity of doing the only responsible thing by the end of the movie: growing up and getting over Merrick. He even permits a cloudy, ambiguous split between them, in which the lingering affection is just as obvious as the need for separation. All this could turn a film golden, win awards, and jerk tears like nobody's business--if only there were the tiniest shard of coherent film technique backing it up.
Top 10 - of the worst ever gay-roommate films
amberbaer26 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Let me just say that they acting is so sub par that it doesn't even register on the gay-dar scale! There is little back story shown to show how these two young men have been friends and are still close - that might have helped.
The notion that the Jock is gay and the off-beat roommate is just sexually curious when the girlfriend/wife isn't around doesn't take flight.
The actors look at each other too longingly to keep their lust for each other a secret from the rest of the world.
While the Jock is HOT - the scenes of him just standing in his underwear could have been improved if he did more than just stare - and what sex scenes that were filmed were so spliced together that they made you cringe and look away.
It's difficult material to put into a movie - but lighting the film could have helped - the grainy shot with a single camera doesn't give the edge it should have.
Jock man - hot in his undies, Scruffy boy - kinda hot when he finally kisses the jock for the first time.
The women in the movie only served to annoy the viewer and distract from the overall production - as a stage play with just the two guys - this could be something better.
At least know the jock is hot and the scruffy boy has a furry butt and doesn't kiss after gay sex, but that's normal for someone who won't admit they are gay! I can't rate it completely awful - but at least I can send it back to Netflix and never speak of it again!
The notion that the Jock is gay and the off-beat roommate is just sexually curious when the girlfriend/wife isn't around doesn't take flight.
The actors look at each other too longingly to keep their lust for each other a secret from the rest of the world.
While the Jock is HOT - the scenes of him just standing in his underwear could have been improved if he did more than just stare - and what sex scenes that were filmed were so spliced together that they made you cringe and look away.
It's difficult material to put into a movie - but lighting the film could have helped - the grainy shot with a single camera doesn't give the edge it should have.
Jock man - hot in his undies, Scruffy boy - kinda hot when he finally kisses the jock for the first time.
The women in the movie only served to annoy the viewer and distract from the overall production - as a stage play with just the two guys - this could be something better.
At least know the jock is hot and the scruffy boy has a furry butt and doesn't kiss after gay sex, but that's normal for someone who won't admit they are gay! I can't rate it completely awful - but at least I can send it back to Netflix and never speak of it again!
worst movie i've seen in years
tdkjunkmail10 April 2005
I try to give independent gay cinema a break but this was hardly bearable. Not only was the plot unintelligible, the movie was so slow that I watched much of it in fast forward. I played the parts with dialog at normal speed but I kind of regret it. Not only was the sound muffled, but the dialog was awkward and unconvincing, especially the lead girl. If I knew anyone that bounced that quickly from manic rage to passivity and back, I'd definitely organize an intervention cause she needs to lay off the meth.
Suppose the director was my dearest friend and I had just sat through this together, I don't think I could come up with anything positive to say about this mess. The best I can say is the boys were cute... well, when there was adequate lighting to see them or when they were in focus.
Suppose the director was my dearest friend and I had just sat through this together, I don't think I could come up with anything positive to say about this mess. The best I can say is the boys were cute... well, when there was adequate lighting to see them or when they were in focus.
Simply Atrocious!
gatorscot@aol.com6 May 2010
Simply one of the poorest movies ever made. I made it through 35 minutes and threw in the towel. I read enough summaries and reviews to know that it might be a realistic plot but it was horribly put together so it did not matter. Perhaps with a different budget and director the movie would garner 1 star. I felt like I was watching a first year film student's attempt at being artistic and he/she miserably failed. The lighting is beyond poor. I was so bored I counted the minutes until the first scene where the lighting was sufficient to recognize character faces (22 minutes). The sound editing is just bizarre with random scenes with no sound and then bizarre sound effects thrown in for god knows what reason. Sound levels are all over the place and most of the dialogue is inaudible. If I could give it a negative star I would.
Seemingly straight man has hots for seemingly straight roommate
otterman4712 November 2004
I thought "Gerry" was the worst film I've ever seen but after watching this piece of crap on DVD yesterday morning I'm not so sure. The only thing good about it is the handsomeness of the two lead male characters (very nice looking average guys) but it stops there. Most of the movie is underlit; some scenes just have one table side lamp on or just the light from the TV. The sound is also lousy; they either mumbled or just didn't speak loudly enough most of the time.
Two young guys (Troy and Merrick) live together in an apartment and it seems like Troy has the hots for Merrick but also has this girlfriend. The y sleep together once or twice and it sort of looks like they have sex (but due to the editing you can't be sure). Maybe it's mostly about unrequited love but its just plain dull and annoying.
Two young guys (Troy and Merrick) live together in an apartment and it seems like Troy has the hots for Merrick but also has this girlfriend. The y sleep together once or twice and it sort of looks like they have sex (but due to the editing you can't be sure). Maybe it's mostly about unrequited love but its just plain dull and annoying.
A Good Idea Poorly Executed
JimG27274 January 2005
This movie wanted to be better than it is. College dropouts Troy and Merrick share an apartment in a dead-end town. They appear to sleep together sometimes, but their own mental issues plus a psychotic former girlfriend sabotage their chances at a relationship. Narrative question: do they end up together?
The plot is well done. The story is familiar (or at least believable) enough that the dramatic tension works. Character development was decent. Some of the dialog falls flat, mostly due to the poor lighting and over-aggressive Foley editing. The leads are quite attractive, but the sex scenes are only in the PG13 range.
Cinematography is weak. Consistently under-lit throughout. The voice track is nearly inaudible at several key points. A couple of awkward edits too. Overall, would have been an entirely competent movie in the hands of a more experienced director.
The plot is well done. The story is familiar (or at least believable) enough that the dramatic tension works. Character development was decent. Some of the dialog falls flat, mostly due to the poor lighting and over-aggressive Foley editing. The leads are quite attractive, but the sex scenes are only in the PG13 range.
Cinematography is weak. Consistently under-lit throughout. The voice track is nearly inaudible at several key points. A couple of awkward edits too. Overall, would have been an entirely competent movie in the hands of a more experienced director.
This movie was awful
seanynjboy8 December 2005
OK, I usually enjoy cheesy homosexual, indie, foreign and/or B movies, but this one was just utterly awful and cannot keep the attention of a brain-dead snail, It was like filmed in a crappy place with bad lighting, bad dialogue, bad acting, bad script, and just bad bad everything, calling this a "B" movie would be too much as well as too nice.....I would think twice about watching this movie or even have anything to do with this movie, I was bored and got it from netflix, and I tried so hard to just watch it, but the story leaves you with nothing to make you want to keep going...If you need to talk a nap or fall asleep, do yourself a favor and watch this pathetic disgrace for a movie.
would be awesome if they had put a little light on the subject....
fletcher_morgan21 December 2004
yes i agree with the other reviewer of this movie... on all accounts, especially the directors sparse use of lighting.... i understand realism, but its nice to see the actors sometimes.
plot-wise, i've been in a similar situation as our main character and I understand exactly what he was going through.. and i think its very realistically portrayed on screen.
i'm also glad that the gay boy gets to be the handsome jock this time instead of it always being the straight one.
if you can put up with the shoestring budget, i definitely recommend renting this one... a little slow the first 10 minutes but then it gets going someplace.
plot-wise, i've been in a similar situation as our main character and I understand exactly what he was going through.. and i think its very realistically portrayed on screen.
i'm also glad that the gay boy gets to be the handsome jock this time instead of it always being the straight one.
if you can put up with the shoestring budget, i definitely recommend renting this one... a little slow the first 10 minutes but then it gets going someplace.
Not to Shabby needs a lot of work though
Simple_chic_8430 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Well It wasn't THAT bad of a movie the storyline was really good but many of the technical aspects were not the greatest. Poor lighting Poor sound. some bad camera angles. You would Think it was a project of a high school student. If it wasn't so technically bad it was would be really good. i mean some Parts I thought were good Hence where the spoiler warning comes in.
And a side note Matt Austin Makes a much Better Power Ranger.
- Merrick's Quote "Your not homosexual Your Merrick Sexual"
- Troysniffs Merricks shirt (i think its his shirt)
- the kiss at the end
And a side note Matt Austin Makes a much Better Power Ranger.
Awful lighting and garbled sound, but this Gay film is the REAL thing!
clive-1327 November 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Shot almost entirely in a basement apartment with lighting coming from a few table and bed lights this film is very dark. I do not mean sardonic, depressing or black humor when I say dark. In at least half the scenes you have a very difficult time seeing the leads faces! Compounding the downside of this film is a really bad soundtrack, with lots of thumps, knocks and barely audible dialog. That said I believe this to be the most realistic portrayal of two young guys coming to terms with their love for each other that I have seen on film. It is such a shame that two brilliant actors, working with an absolutely "dead-on" script couldn't have had some production values to make a perfect film.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Two best friends, Troy and Merrick, had gone through high school together. Troy, the star football player and Merrick, the party boy with all the girl friends. It's maybe a year or so after graduation and the film opens at a party the two are throwing at their basement apartment that they're now sharing. Girlfriends are introduced, or at least Merrick's girlfriend is introduced. Various party types, guys and gals, get drunk, smoke dope and pretty much act juvenile as hell. That's what Troy thinks anyway, as you see the party mainly through his eyes. He doesn't drink much, or smoke and you can tell he is pretty much underwhelmed by the antics of all attending. His angst is particularly readable in his eyes as he watches Merrick. Party's finally over, Merrick's gal friend is passed out in Merrick's room and the two long time pals are lounging on the couch. This is where this little movie takes off. Merrick is pretty drunk and it takes a while to understand what he is saying to Troy (the sound is bad) but he is asking Troy for "one of those special backrubs". Troy at first seems reluctant, but here we see for the first time the intense emotional hell that Troy has been going through in his relationship with Merrick. You see, when Merrick gets drunk, he turns to Troy for that "special treatment" that only two guys can give each other. At this moment in the film you begin to realize that this relationship has been on-going for a long time. Only now, when Troy pulls up Merrick's shirt and leans down and starts to kiss Merrick's back do you see Merrick "turn 0ff", push Troy away and stagger into the bedroom where he later shags his girlfriend while Troy listens dejectedly. This scene shows what has been happening with these two guys for at least 3, maybe 4 or 5 years...They are secret lovers who do it ALL! All, except Merrick cannot, won't kiss. This is real life.... This type of relationship is happening as I write this. It's happening to guys in the army, in high school and college. It happens between good, close guy buddies everywhere. It just isn't TALKED about. There is usually no attempt by one or the other guy to bring it into the light of day. This is why I love this film. It is intelligent in it's portrayal of "Christ I was so drunk last night" sex between guys. One guy is usually closer to being out than the other. Or, one guy will insist that what they are doing isn't "really gay".
Pretty common, corny gay smaltz.... right? Wrong, This is the most real presentation of one young gay guy, Troy, who is deeply in love with a man in denial, Merrick. It is happening right out there in the real world. This is the first time that film has captured it so accurately. The dialog is exactly what guys have said to each other in these situations. Most gay men (including myself) have gone through something very similar in their lives. Sure, other films have visited this before....I love you....but I'm not gay....Oh, we just do this cause we are horny....but this film is different. Who ever wrote this film knew exactly what these guys would say and act. It is so wonderful to see two very handsome( but not pretty) guys go through what so many of us have lived through. As the film progresses the boys fight, make love, get closer, are torn apart, make up, make love and fight some more. Merrick's ability to perform in bed but never kiss, haunts Troy. Finally, in desperation, Troy cuts Merrick out sexually. He tells him that he cannot take the pain of loving Merrick and not having it reciprocated.
For a while he hangs on and watches from the sidelines as Merrick continues his party boy life, drinking, smoking and banging his girlfriend in the bedroom next to Troy. Troy makes plans to leave and move to Toronto to go to college. Merrick comes home that night, pretty high and jumps Troy in bed. Now Troy gives in and just as they are gazing into each other's eyes and moving towards a mouth on mouth kiss, Merrick's girlfriend walks in on them! The film has a wonderful extended ending which is both happy and sad and bitter and sweet....but definitely REAL. See this film for it's gritty and absolute clarity of realism. I don't know who the two actors are, but this film deserves to be remade and brightened up. It has a lot to say and it says it better than anything on the screen out there. This one is a keeper!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Two best friends, Troy and Merrick, had gone through high school together. Troy, the star football player and Merrick, the party boy with all the girl friends. It's maybe a year or so after graduation and the film opens at a party the two are throwing at their basement apartment that they're now sharing. Girlfriends are introduced, or at least Merrick's girlfriend is introduced. Various party types, guys and gals, get drunk, smoke dope and pretty much act juvenile as hell. That's what Troy thinks anyway, as you see the party mainly through his eyes. He doesn't drink much, or smoke and you can tell he is pretty much underwhelmed by the antics of all attending. His angst is particularly readable in his eyes as he watches Merrick. Party's finally over, Merrick's gal friend is passed out in Merrick's room and the two long time pals are lounging on the couch. This is where this little movie takes off. Merrick is pretty drunk and it takes a while to understand what he is saying to Troy (the sound is bad) but he is asking Troy for "one of those special backrubs". Troy at first seems reluctant, but here we see for the first time the intense emotional hell that Troy has been going through in his relationship with Merrick. You see, when Merrick gets drunk, he turns to Troy for that "special treatment" that only two guys can give each other. At this moment in the film you begin to realize that this relationship has been on-going for a long time. Only now, when Troy pulls up Merrick's shirt and leans down and starts to kiss Merrick's back do you see Merrick "turn 0ff", push Troy away and stagger into the bedroom where he later shags his girlfriend while Troy listens dejectedly. This scene shows what has been happening with these two guys for at least 3, maybe 4 or 5 years...They are secret lovers who do it ALL! All, except Merrick cannot, won't kiss. This is real life.... This type of relationship is happening as I write this. It's happening to guys in the army, in high school and college. It happens between good, close guy buddies everywhere. It just isn't TALKED about. There is usually no attempt by one or the other guy to bring it into the light of day. This is why I love this film. It is intelligent in it's portrayal of "Christ I was so drunk last night" sex between guys. One guy is usually closer to being out than the other. Or, one guy will insist that what they are doing isn't "really gay".
Pretty common, corny gay smaltz.... right? Wrong, This is the most real presentation of one young gay guy, Troy, who is deeply in love with a man in denial, Merrick. It is happening right out there in the real world. This is the first time that film has captured it so accurately. The dialog is exactly what guys have said to each other in these situations. Most gay men (including myself) have gone through something very similar in their lives. Sure, other films have visited this before....I love you....but I'm not gay....Oh, we just do this cause we are horny....but this film is different. Who ever wrote this film knew exactly what these guys would say and act. It is so wonderful to see two very handsome( but not pretty) guys go through what so many of us have lived through. As the film progresses the boys fight, make love, get closer, are torn apart, make up, make love and fight some more. Merrick's ability to perform in bed but never kiss, haunts Troy. Finally, in desperation, Troy cuts Merrick out sexually. He tells him that he cannot take the pain of loving Merrick and not having it reciprocated.
For a while he hangs on and watches from the sidelines as Merrick continues his party boy life, drinking, smoking and banging his girlfriend in the bedroom next to Troy. Troy makes plans to leave and move to Toronto to go to college. Merrick comes home that night, pretty high and jumps Troy in bed. Now Troy gives in and just as they are gazing into each other's eyes and moving towards a mouth on mouth kiss, Merrick's girlfriend walks in on them! The film has a wonderful extended ending which is both happy and sad and bitter and sweet....but definitely REAL. See this film for it's gritty and absolute clarity of realism. I don't know who the two actors are, but this film deserves to be remade and brightened up. It has a lot to say and it says it better than anything on the screen out there. This one is a keeper!
A deep and believable movie
embob-120 June 2005
This is one of the finest gay films I have seen. Lee Rumohr plays Troy, a painfully in-love young man dealing with rejection from the only person he has ever really loved. The scenes of Rumohr and his silent suffering are brilliant - Rumohr shows us more through his actions and body language than through his dialogue (although this is also well done). The result is a powerful, raw expression of sadness from a young love repeatedly unfulfilled. The dark lighting and minimal changes in setting (most of the action takes place in fairly bland, undecorated apartments) add much to the story by creating an environment that makes the viewer see how Troy feels trapped in his small Canadian town. The seeming mismatch of Troy and Merrick only fuels the fire of this film by adding a key element of realism to Troy's love - blind helplessness. I was very impressed with "Denied" and think that the simplicity of the camera work and settings bring the plot to the forefront, something which many gay movies seem to forget in the wake of the inevitable "sexy dance scene at the giant gay club." None of that here, folks. Just love and pain. Well done!
Appalling sound, great script and acting
xelag14 November 2005
A very well scripted film, wonderfully acted, depicting two young men struggling with their feeling towards each other, in the midst of heterosexual surroundings.
Unfortunately, the sound mix is so bad that the dialogs are impossible to follow - and they are essential to understanding what is going on.
I found a work-around on my computer: using an equalizer on the audio, I neutralised the low and medium frequencies and enhanced the medium-high frequencies: this made the dialogs followable. Quite amazing that the producers omitted this quality check!
I disregard the low light quality criticism. True, many scenes are filmed with scarcely a light from a light bulb, but for me, that enhances the atmosphere, although I would not have minded some more subtle shading at times.
All in all, if you can fix the sound, very worth while watching.
Unfortunately, the sound mix is so bad that the dialogs are impossible to follow - and they are essential to understanding what is going on.
I found a work-around on my computer: using an equalizer on the audio, I neutralised the low and medium frequencies and enhanced the medium-high frequencies: this made the dialogs followable. Quite amazing that the producers omitted this quality check!
I disregard the low light quality criticism. True, many scenes are filmed with scarcely a light from a light bulb, but for me, that enhances the atmosphere, although I would not have minded some more subtle shading at times.
All in all, if you can fix the sound, very worth while watching.
Some aspects of this film were brilliant, pity about the poor sound quality
chico1960au2 March 2005
I found this film at times spell-binding, with touches of almost brilliance. Anyone who has been love-sick with someone who does not return that love will find aspects of the film very compelling. The scene when Troy uses articles of Merrick's clothing to sniff, out of sexual frustration, is something no one would ever admit to, but some of us have surely done. Throughout the film, Lee Rumohr is highly believable as a young closeted frustrated gay man, trying to be true to himself, but driven to distraction by denied love. While the gay theme of the film adds poignancy, because of the overlay of homophobia and the characters' needs to be closeted, the central theme of denied or unreturned love will speak to all sexualities.
Marrick's sexual ambivalence is intriguing and well played by Matt Austin, although the reason for his ambivalence is never completely clear - but maybe that is the point.
The sound quality seemed very poor on the DVD I had, and certain lines I missed.
All in all, a great film from Canada.
Marrick's sexual ambivalence is intriguing and well played by Matt Austin, although the reason for his ambivalence is never completely clear - but maybe that is the point.
The sound quality seemed very poor on the DVD I had, and certain lines I missed.
All in all, a great film from Canada.
a complex and compelling portrait of adolescent sexuality
druben214 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this movie quite a lot. If we are to believe Kinsey, it portrays a common enough situation in which the dynamics of male adolescent sexual experimentation is played out by two young men that are trying to work out their sexual identities. I appreciated the fluctuations in bisexual attraction and the inevitable pain this involves and how the young men do truly care for one another in their own confused ways. The film is sweet and gentle but also hard-hitting in its portrayal of lostness and the incapacity for shared intimacy. I found the acting to be quite good in an understated way and the characters very realistic. I think most viewers will identify with the void that can be experienced after high school and the struggle to find oneself when high school roles no longer suffice.
A Great Story
ktr8rmv81416 December 2007
I'm giving this an eight solely because of the horrible lighting and horrible audio. The rest is great. Now, this is one of my first gay cinema pictures. The plot caught my attention. I picked the movie up and brought it home. What I liked about this film was the realism it contained. There are no resolutions and there is conflict many times. People do really fall in love and sometimes, this love isn't enough to save them. In the end, nothing is solved. There are hints of the relationship the two friends had, but never a definite answer. Both men were very attractive and I think, did a very well job. The production was awful. Horrible lighting and muffled sound. The editing could've been much better, but not as bad as the lighting and sound. Had that been upgraded, the movie would've only improved. Very effective. I recommend it, just turn the volume 110% percent and watch the movie in the dark. Also, the intimate scenes could've been a little longer. It felt like the director was afraid of getting into it. I'm not necessarily saying sex just intimacy in general. It would've made the ending much more emotional. Overall not bad.
Good for what it is
hengehbm26 March 2005
This movie has going for it what very few 'gay movies' have; the characters and the plot are realistic. The principle actors were very good in their roles. The only real problem was getting the acting down on film. Lots of the scenes are pretty dark, and sometimes it's hard to hear exactly what's being said. But, these are problems that lots of low-budget films, and, again, the story makes up for it.
Some people I know say that the long shots of one character during a scene, or the periods of silence between the actors make them uncomfortable, but that's why i like the movie. It's very realistic. People don't talk like they do in Kevin Smith films. Sometimes you just sit with your boyfriend and don't know what to say for a while.
Again, Acting-Good, Story-Good, Cinematography-Medium. If nothing else, see it because Matt Austin, who plays Merrick here, is the Green Ranger in the current Power Rangers Show. Small World.
Some people I know say that the long shots of one character during a scene, or the periods of silence between the actors make them uncomfortable, but that's why i like the movie. It's very realistic. People don't talk like they do in Kevin Smith films. Sometimes you just sit with your boyfriend and don't know what to say for a while.
Again, Acting-Good, Story-Good, Cinematography-Medium. If nothing else, see it because Matt Austin, who plays Merrick here, is the Green Ranger in the current Power Rangers Show. Small World.
actually its a very good movie
gfipps31 December 2004
A very surprising and engrossing movie. It transcends the gay, coming of age theme and provides insights on human relationships at a much deeper level. The relationship of the two leads is just one of several presented. Its interesting that the most "honest" and interesting relationship in the movie is between the lead and his former high school girl friend.
The poor production quality does interfere, but the movie has a great style and cinematic symbolism. Most of the movie takes place at night, in dimly lit rooms, etc, echoing the darkness in the relationships, but there are the scenes in bright daylight where the characters seem to be able to better reflect on the realities. The acting is excellent with a very "real" feel.
The poor production quality does interfere, but the movie has a great style and cinematic symbolism. Most of the movie takes place at night, in dimly lit rooms, etc, echoing the darkness in the relationships, but there are the scenes in bright daylight where the characters seem to be able to better reflect on the realities. The acting is excellent with a very "real" feel.
I truly love this movie
jm1070115 February 2012
I suppose I can understand why many people dislike Denied, but my response to it is very much different. Poor lighting and sound do not kill a movie for me if there is something valuable in it to dig for through those defects, and there is much of value in Denied. Except for the sound and lighting (and possibly the music), it is an excellent movie, much better than 99% of gay movies.
The screenplay is intelligent, subtle, compassionate, never clichéd, and often surprising. Characters talk in the sometimes disjointed way people really talk, switching from one point to another with no warning or explanation. That may be too much for viewers accustomed to the clean, logical, familiar, easy-to-follow way everyone talks in most movies but no one talks in real life. Every line in this movie rings true.
The acting is some of the best I've ever seen in any movie, and certainly much better than in most gay movies. Lee Rumohr in the lead as Troy is especially good, but Matt Austin as Merrick is not far behind; and, in a much smaller role as Fowler, Troy's gentle but troubled fellow ex-jock, Matthew Finlason is amazing.
I would almost recommend watching only the last half hour of the movie, from around the 1:05:00 mark (which unfortunately does not correspond with a chapter marker on the DVD - if you see a man standing alone on a lighted sports field at night, you're in the right place) to the very end. By that point, all the tedious stuff with Merrick's EXTREMELY tedious girlfriend Stacey is over, and all that's left is Troy's resolving his relationships with Fowler (which takes about 8 minutes) and then with Merrick (the last 20 minutes or so). That's when this movie really starts to shine, when it takes off and soars far above any other gay movie I can think of. But watching only the end would deprive you of its context, of understanding why Troy and his friends make the choices they make and how much those choices cost them.
So here's what I recommend: If you can't stand working at watching a movie, if you prefer to have everything laid before you in order and easy to get without any work on your part, everything easy to see and every sound clear as a bell, then forget Denied. Stick with conventional, slickly professional and familiarly produced movies like Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss.
If you love gay movies, particularly gritty, realistic movies about people like us, then give Denied a shot. But hold on through about an hour of relatively tedious stuff; it will make your enjoyment of the treasures at the end richer than it would be without it.
But if you can't do that - if you can't or won't slog your way through an hour of tedium to get to a half hour of great beauty - then skip immediately to 1:05:00 and pay close attention, adjusting the video on your TV and replaying bits as necessary to get what people are saying. It will be well worth the effort. Even knowing nothing about the characters, seeing how they act and interact is profoundly satisfying in a way all movies should be but very few are.
Denied truly is a diamond in the rough; if you're a diamond hunter like me, go for it, and don't give up until you're holding it in your grubby little hands. You may find in the process that it has worked its way into your heart to stay.
The screenplay is intelligent, subtle, compassionate, never clichéd, and often surprising. Characters talk in the sometimes disjointed way people really talk, switching from one point to another with no warning or explanation. That may be too much for viewers accustomed to the clean, logical, familiar, easy-to-follow way everyone talks in most movies but no one talks in real life. Every line in this movie rings true.
The acting is some of the best I've ever seen in any movie, and certainly much better than in most gay movies. Lee Rumohr in the lead as Troy is especially good, but Matt Austin as Merrick is not far behind; and, in a much smaller role as Fowler, Troy's gentle but troubled fellow ex-jock, Matthew Finlason is amazing.
I would almost recommend watching only the last half hour of the movie, from around the 1:05:00 mark (which unfortunately does not correspond with a chapter marker on the DVD - if you see a man standing alone on a lighted sports field at night, you're in the right place) to the very end. By that point, all the tedious stuff with Merrick's EXTREMELY tedious girlfriend Stacey is over, and all that's left is Troy's resolving his relationships with Fowler (which takes about 8 minutes) and then with Merrick (the last 20 minutes or so). That's when this movie really starts to shine, when it takes off and soars far above any other gay movie I can think of. But watching only the end would deprive you of its context, of understanding why Troy and his friends make the choices they make and how much those choices cost them.
So here's what I recommend: If you can't stand working at watching a movie, if you prefer to have everything laid before you in order and easy to get without any work on your part, everything easy to see and every sound clear as a bell, then forget Denied. Stick with conventional, slickly professional and familiarly produced movies like Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss.
If you love gay movies, particularly gritty, realistic movies about people like us, then give Denied a shot. But hold on through about an hour of relatively tedious stuff; it will make your enjoyment of the treasures at the end richer than it would be without it.
But if you can't do that - if you can't or won't slog your way through an hour of tedium to get to a half hour of great beauty - then skip immediately to 1:05:00 and pay close attention, adjusting the video on your TV and replaying bits as necessary to get what people are saying. It will be well worth the effort. Even knowing nothing about the characters, seeing how they act and interact is profoundly satisfying in a way all movies should be but very few are.
Denied truly is a diamond in the rough; if you're a diamond hunter like me, go for it, and don't give up until you're holding it in your grubby little hands. You may find in the process that it has worked its way into your heart to stay.
Movie Enhanced by Low Quality
allenmike8420 January 2005
This movie presents a dark, realistic view of the struggles associated with a post-high school athlete coming to grips with his homosexuality and love for his best friend. The characters are shaped by a simple storyline and the acting is right on target for this film. It is obvious this is a low budget film, so when watching this movie, one must prepare themselves for subpar sound and video quality. Some people have slammed the movie based on this reason, but I believe this is what gives the movie its personal reality. I also appreciated the movie because, unlike most gay films, it presents subtle sexual undertones without being sleazy. I think this is a great film with obvious kinks, but would still recommend it to anyone.
An embarrassment to Canadian films
reeves200218 July 2007
I rented 2 DVD's at a local DVD rental store and the 3rd was free so I picked Denied.The plot and description sounded good.I started watching it and realized it was horrible.The picture quality and sound were atrocious.Nobody seemed to be really acting(I could be wrong)but it was like watching someone's home videos of their lives. The picture should have been digitally remastered, the audio or sound should have been done properly,and it desperately needed to be edited because some scenes dragged on way too long and were boring and lame.And then maybe it would be worthy of being released.What a waste! It was painful to watch and I don't know how it even found distribution.The only part I really liked was near the end when Merrick(Matt Austin) admits his feelings to Troy(Lee Rumohr)and they get it on.At least these 2 guys are cute and easy on the eyes.And then Troy decides he's fed up with the head games and living in a small town decides to leave for good.His affect on his best friend was surprising and touching! It is a nice story that undoubtedly occurs but this DVD seems like a very rough cut of what should have been a decent movie if it was remade with a higher budget and done properly.I was surprised to see Stefan Brogren(of Degrassi high/next generation) in such a low budget amateur film.There are some good Canadian films out there and some bad ones,but this one is an embarrassment.
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