If homosexuality is finding greater acceptance in the world of film-making, intergenerational romance, especially among men, is still somewhat taboo, which is what makes this film somewhat unique.
This film follows the relationship between Hugh (Edmund Strode), a bitter, alcoholic writer and professor in Hong Kong, and Mark (Alex Wong), one of his prize students. At first, Mark is merely another student in one of Hugh's classes, but Mark's talent soon brings him to Hugh's attention, and once Mark gets to know Hugh a little better, he is clearly smitten with Hugh. While Hugh tries to push Mark away at first, one night, Mark enters Hugh's apartment to find him drunk in the bathtub, and they give way to their passion. But, can they continue their relationship when outside pressures threaten to drive them apart?
It's an interesting premise, especially since there are any number of movies about young women who fall in love with older men, and a few more daring ones about young men who fall in love with older women. However, we rarely find much in the way of age disparity when the lovers are of the same gender. Even then, it is either a kept kind of relationship, like the one in "Jeffrey," or it is not the main romance of the story. This one is, which is laudable. Unfortunately, it really doesn't explore many of the issues related to the disparity in either age or culture, which is a pity.
The acting is okay. Strode gives an interesting performance of Hugh as a bitter, vulnerable man, but shows little about him that would inspire the kind of devotion Mark fawns on him. Likewise, Wong's performance of Alex is sweet, but his motivations are not always clear. Still the performances are well matched, so the movie works as a whole.
While I was delighted to see somebody actually explore the issue of intergenerational gay romance, I was disappointed that this film didn't explore the issue more fully. Still, this is a pleasant enough movie to watch, and I would recommend it as showing a facet of gay life which is not often shown.
This film follows the relationship between Hugh (Edmund Strode), a bitter, alcoholic writer and professor in Hong Kong, and Mark (Alex Wong), one of his prize students. At first, Mark is merely another student in one of Hugh's classes, but Mark's talent soon brings him to Hugh's attention, and once Mark gets to know Hugh a little better, he is clearly smitten with Hugh. While Hugh tries to push Mark away at first, one night, Mark enters Hugh's apartment to find him drunk in the bathtub, and they give way to their passion. But, can they continue their relationship when outside pressures threaten to drive them apart?
It's an interesting premise, especially since there are any number of movies about young women who fall in love with older men, and a few more daring ones about young men who fall in love with older women. However, we rarely find much in the way of age disparity when the lovers are of the same gender. Even then, it is either a kept kind of relationship, like the one in "Jeffrey," or it is not the main romance of the story. This one is, which is laudable. Unfortunately, it really doesn't explore many of the issues related to the disparity in either age or culture, which is a pity.
The acting is okay. Strode gives an interesting performance of Hugh as a bitter, vulnerable man, but shows little about him that would inspire the kind of devotion Mark fawns on him. Likewise, Wong's performance of Alex is sweet, but his motivations are not always clear. Still the performances are well matched, so the movie works as a whole.
While I was delighted to see somebody actually explore the issue of intergenerational gay romance, I was disappointed that this film didn't explore the issue more fully. Still, this is a pleasant enough movie to watch, and I would recommend it as showing a facet of gay life which is not often shown.