Trevor (1994)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Peggy Rajski

Writer:

James Lecesne (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Short | Drama

Plot:

Upon hitting puberty, a high school boy realizes that he is homosexual and faces prejudice from his homophobic parents and friends.

Plot Keywords:

Gay | High School | Homosexual | Boyhood Friends | Gay Interest

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins

Cast

Brett Barsky	...	Trevor
Judy Kain	...	Trevor's Mom
John Lizzi	...	Trevor's Dad
Jonah Rooney	...	Pinky Farraday
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Father Jon
Cory M. Miller	...	Jack (as Corey Miller)
Allen Dorane	...	Walter Stiltman
Lindsay Pomerantz	...	Cathy Quinn
Alicia Anderson	...	Mary Zapatelli
Courtney Dornstein	...	Francine Antoniello
Ken Sale	...	Bus Driver
Lucas Jansen	...	Pinky's Gang Member
Shannon L.A. Beach	...	Pinky's Gang Member
John Akpyas	...	Pinky's Gang Member
Frank Montes	...	Pinky's Gang Member

Also Known As:

Ellen DeGeneres Presents 'Trevor' (USA) (TV title)

Runtime:

23 min | Canada:18 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:Unrated | UK:15

Trivia:

The Trevor Project, a national crisis and suicide prevention organization helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, was started by the creators of this movie in response to the real-life issues faced by the main character. Before the film's first airing on HBO (in 1998), James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski, and Randy Stone looked for a preexisting organization that they could cite in the credits as a go-to resource for viewers, but found that there was no such crisis line, so they founded the Trevor Hotline, which still (as of August 2009) operates as an around-the-clock call-in and website helpline for LGBTQ youth who are in crisis, facing familial rejection, or considering suicide.

Movie Connections:

References Endless Love (1981)

Soundtrack:

ENDLESS LOVE

An important film for all parents...

I really wish that all parents or prospective parents would see this film. That's because regardless of your feelings about homosexuality, it's really important that a parent accept their child and approve of them as people--and you have no way of knowing whether your children will grow up gay or straight. One of the highest suicide rates is among gay teens and only a totally psycho parent would rather have their child dead than accept them and let them know they are loved.

This film is a fictionalized story about a kid named Trevor. It follows him through puberty and his sexual awakening. Eventually, Trevor realizes he is attracted to another young man. He is okay with this, but what he's not okay with is everyone's reaction. Suddenly, kids around him somehow seem to know and begin to mistreat him. At the same time, his parents refuse to really talk about it and send him to talk to a priest who is completely inept in dealing with it. As a result, it's no surprise that Trevor is on the brink of suicide.

The film manages to tell a nice little story that isn't too preachy and with a good sense of humor--while still attacking a serious problem. It's a nice public service type film and I hope that talk about shock treatment and suicide make the point that your kids are to be loved.

By the way, this is not a serious complaint but the film seems to portray gay teens as loving female singers like Diana Ross, Barbra or Liza as well as acting somewhat effeminate. While this sometimes is true, often it's not and this is perpetuating a bit of a narrow stereotype. I assume there must be gay men out there that DON'T love these lady singers!