Review of Dorian Blues (2005) by Rich B — 12 Mar 2006

Dorian Blues (2004) - "Look, I don't know where you're from, but you may have missed a really important lesson: You want to feel good, you gotta work for it." Tiffany (Bunny).

Tennyson Bardwell's fine freshman effort as director, writer and producer in this independent film about a high school senior's horrified discovery that he is gay. A winner of eight awards on the film festival circuit, Dorian Blues was a joy to watch. The writing is excellent - funny, sometimes really funny, and occasionally wonderful. The acting is authentic and the editing is as good as I've seen - Michael McMillian (Dorian) and Lea Coco (Nicky) actually seemed like brothers and Charles Fletcher, who plays Dorian's father, was maddening as the stereotypical, verbally abusive father.

But, as entertaining as it was, it suffers from the "cradle to grave" coming out theme - a well-worn path. I know we all feel compelled to tell our stories, but maybe it's time to hear from the post-AIDS era guys who were out and on their own in their twenties. What I'm really trying to say is that I'm looking for something fresh. Something modern - something that reflects the current generation's gender neutral approach: show me a story about a kid that decides not to choose sides!