Review of Monster Pies (2013) by Joe C — 03 May 2015

Lee Galea's brutal telling of adolescent love may fall down in places, but it is still a beautiful film regardless. Mike is a shy, awkward guy from a broken home, seemingly just looking to get through this period of his life, maintaining his relationship with his slightly haphazard mother and keeping a low profile at school. While not 'out', Mike is bullied constantly, often looking for his best friend Genine for comfort.

His life changes when he meets the attractive, brooding new guy at school, Will. Thrust into working together on a re-imagining of Romeo & Juliet, the two bond over their love for films and, perhaps, over the struggles they have both endured during their childhood. Soon, Mike and Will realise their feelings for each other and, unbeknownst to anyone else in their lives, they fall magnificently in love. Mike realises that while he has needed someone like Will in his life, Will has needed him more.

What follows is an honest, at times heart-braking, exploration of growing up and adolescent love.

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*.

This low-budget indie film may not end up being a classic in the LGBTQ genre, but that certainly doesn't mean it shouldn't be seen. Shot on an absolute shoe-string budget - Galea funded the film himself, with the help of lead Lucas Linehan - this film definitely punches above its weight. The cinematography is soft and makes the most of the natural glow that bathes Melbourne, where it is shot.

Yes, there are cliches - the nerdy kid that falls in love with the attractive, brooding type, forced to work together, using Romeo & Juliet etc etc - but that to me is not a bad thing. Adolescent experiences are for the most part pretty cliched, and it is the believability that makes this film it home so hard. The chemistry between Tristan Barr and Lucas Linehan is amazing, especially given that the latter was drafted in at the last minute. It is Linehan that steals the show, with his multi-layered Will giving weight to every scene he is in. That shouldn't take anything away from Barr, who really comes into his own towards the end of the film.

There is a sense that there is slightly too much melodrama squeezed into this film, the family tragedies on each side really begin to build up and are hard to keep track of, and the ending will be loved by some, loathed by others. For me it was both. The amount that I cried throughout the last 10 minutes is testament to the wonderful story Galea sucks you into, wonderfully re-produced by his cast.

All-in-all, 'Monster Pies', is what this genre of film should be. It is honest, endearing and achieves marvels given its tin budget and indie production.