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Rites of Passage More at IMDbPro »
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| Index | 24 reviews in total |
16 out of 17 people found the following review useful:
A highly personal project from director Victor Salva is a nicely executed, low-budget independent thriller., 25 February 2002
Author:
TheVid from Colorado Springs, CO
This is basically a character-driven thriller exploring some routine familial issues between a middle-class father and his two sons. I say routine, because the conflicts are reasonably familiar: the father's having a mid-life, extra-marital fling; one son's gay; and the other son's bogged down in his own suburban mediocrity; not to mention that the whole drama takes place overnight in the woods, an almost absurd setting for all the abounding macho bonding. In spite of this theatrical, TV-movie veneer, RITES OF PASSAGE is still a satisfying low-budget feature thanks to a very appealing cast and the mature, sure-handed direction of Victor Salva (POWDER). It's an involving little ensemble drama with an amazing amount of tension and truth. No small mention should be made of Jason Behr, a WB-TV pretty-boy type who really carries the picture with a surprisingly inspired performance; although a lot of sympathy for his character is still a result of his physical appeal, he does a very good job here alongside excellent performers like Dean Stockwell and James Remar. Still, I doubt if a lot of the enthusiasm for this film would be there without Behr's good looks. In spite of what I've read in a few of the other reviews, the little bit of violence and profanity in this picture are of the PG-13 variety; as a matter of fact, it could have been a bit more aggressive with it's sexuality and brutality in order to intensify the motivations culminating in this one-night, boys-to-men catharsis. I'll tell you, though, it's too bad family crises aren't this easily resolved by a boy's night out in the woods.
12 out of 14 people found the following review useful:
A family crisis becomes a police matter when two outsiders crash the party, 31 August 2004
Author:
sol from Brooklyn NY USA
( Mild Spoilers) Trying not to give away any important plot-lines in
the movie "Rites of Passage" the one thing that impressed me most about
Camp Farrady, Jason Behr, was how meek in the biblical sense of the
word, and un-violent he was throughout the entire film. Even though
Camp was the most hurt abused and betrayed person in it and had every
reason to express his painful feeling with combativeness actions. Yet
somehow refused to give into them even to the point when his life was
at stake.
Growing up gay in a straight All-America family Camp's life was a
living hell when as a young boy. He tried to conform when his strict
father Del Farrady, Dean Stockwell, tried to "straighten" him out and
later when Camp reach early adulthood his dad brutally beat up and
chased out of his life Billy, Camp's best and gay friend, when he
caught him and Camp embracing outside the family cabin on Christmas
eve. Billy was so despondent over the forced break-up of him and Camp
that it led to get himself infected with AIDS and later die of that
disease.
One afternoon Camp's older brother D.J, Robert Glen Kline, who's a
lawyer on a case in Washington State, was about to register at a Tacoma
hotel and was told that he's been signed in already by the hotel clerk.
D.J realizing that the person signed is really his father Del sees him
in the lobby with a woman who he's obviously having an illicit affair
with. Del embarrassed at being spotted and D.J shocked at what he saw
agree to go to the family cabin in the woods to talk thing out the next
day. Unknown to both of them Camp was there too not expecting them to
show up.
Camp while he was looking for Billy got in touch with a prison pen-pal
Frank, James Ramar, who knew about Billy who was also a pen-pal of his
and from Frank he found out that Billy was gone. Frank noticed the
address of the letters that Camp sent him and it was where he buried
some $500,000.00 in stolen drug money and was using Camp's hurt
feelings and emotions to get him to find the loot and take off with it
and then leave Camp behind dead.
Frank who broke out of prison with a fellow convict Red, Jalmz
Woolvett, who Camp didn't know or expect but in the end found out that
he was the one who wrote him those letters that were attributed to
Frank that impressed and touched Camp so much. Frank Prearranging to
meet Camp at the cabin that he expected to be deserted and then take
off, or so Camp thought, with him to Canada to live together as a gay
couple. With the unexpected appearance of Del & D.J made things deadly
and complicated but at the same time in the end brought both father and
son together even though it took a night of horrors to do it.
Unusual film that treats relationships between gays and their parents
and siblings with both touching sympathy as well as brutal realism.
With Jason Behr really outdoing himself as the tormented but courageous
Camp who despite all the abuse he takes in the movie from his father
and Frank refuses to lose his humanity and in the end comes out as the
most positive as well as tragic person in the film. The final scene in
"Rites of Passage" when Camp reluctantly at first embraces his
forgiving father and then accepts him is one of the most powerful and
emotional scenes I've ever seen in a movie and it's done without a
single word of dialog.
Every one in the movie has a story to tell but it's Camp who's story
ties them all together and makes "Rites of Passage" the emotional
experience of a film that it is.
9 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
One night can change the past, present, and future forever. . ., 12 May 2000
Author:
Elysia from New Port Richey, FL
Jason Behr and Dean Stockwell deliver amazing performances as a father and son coming to terms with (the son's) homosexuality and (the father's) inability to show love and affection. I purchased this film without knowing much about it, and was pleasantly surprised by a powerful storyline, award winning perormances by Jason Behr, Dean Stockwell, Robert Keith, and talented writing and producing by Victor Salva.
7 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
A moving story about self-worth, courage, being different, 8 June 2000
Author:
dragonfly77 from New York City
Rites of Passage is a beautiful and moving story; it features a brilliant,
sensitive, and intense performance by Jason Behr.
The character he portrays is homosexual, but the movie is not so much
about
sexuality as about being different: from what your family wants you to be,
different from what society wants you to be, different from most of the
people around you in a world in which you're totally outnumbered. It's
about
self-worth, courage, true strength,and defining your identity.
There's some violence, but there are no gross or graphic scenes; it's all
about love, betrayal, trust, family ties . . . Very nice performances all
around, but as usual, Jason Behr's performance is in a class by itself.
He'll break your heart. Definitely see it.
6 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Big Behr's Right Passage, 19 March 2001
Author:
NJMoon from United States
It's a pity that RITE OF PASSAGE is not more widely available and never received the praise it deserves. This is a complex film - an unusual mix of thriller and family drama. Queer cinema fans will like this one because of the matter of fact presentation of the sexuality of the leading character Cambell (intelligently played by Jason Behr.) Although this is Behr's film, he's in terrific company throughout, especially with veteran Dean Stockwell as his tough-as-nails dad. Watching these two come to terms (as well as Cam's brother), is the film's main dramatic thrust. The thriller elements are far from ignored, however. There are plot twists and turns a-plenty (only one of which seemed a bit contrived) and the story is a virtual roller-coaster of emotions. If you can get it on DVD, Behr and Salva provide an insightful commentary track and give you a glimpse of some more plot devices (and some super performances) left on the cutting room floor.
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Engaging thriller, 30 January 2001
Author:
msecour from San Francisco
The theme is old by now: estrangement between a gay son and his father. However, this issue is only a part of a complex web of surprises that creates a very entertaining thriller. This is a beautiful film, not just about sexuality, but about relationships. My wife and I were captivated with the story, sitting on pins and needles waiting to see how it would end. Highly recommended.
8 out of 11 people found the following review useful:
An A+ movie, thriller and suspenseful, 24 August 2002
Author:
benz5starz from Washington State
This movie was an A+ as well as a very good suspenseful thriller. I
recommend thins movie to anyone ! I feel that all of the actors were
perfect for the parts. The deleted scenes on the dvd filled in some of
the
missing parts that might have made more sense to the plot when watching
the
movie.
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
For fans of Jason Behr-A MUST SEE!, 29 December 2003
Author:
hibbertlange@aol.com
This movie is unusual in the way that it has an all-male
cast.
That aspect of the movie drives the mood and intensity from beginning to
end.
I thought the father's (Dean Stockwell) turn-around in feelings to be
genuinely believable as the film's events cause him to re-evaluate what
and
who are most important in his life.
James Remar delivers a wonderfully increasingly sinister performance in
this
film. Although we've seen him in so many roles. He normally doesn't have
a
character as expanded as this and you get to see what he's really capable
of.
And lastly, but not leastly, Jason Behr shines as poor confused and
bereft
Campbell. He's made so many poor decisions, and yet you just want to put
your arms around him and say that everything will be all
right.
If you thought Max Evans (Roswell) would always be your favorite
character
for Jason Behr, Campbell will make you think twice.
This movie is definately a drama. If you are looking for something light
and
funny, save this movie for another night. If the big box office movies
have
been leaving you flat lately, this independent movie is a good one to
restore your faith that great acting-not a big budget-is what makes a
movie
really good.
3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Well done but a bit disappointing, 6 December 2003
Author:
coloradokid719 from Colorado Springs
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
*Potential Spoilers*
While this film is very well cast and filmed, the seemingly sudden
turnaround in the father's behavior toward Cameron (Jason Behr's character)
was unrealistic. Having been raised by an eerily similar father, I know this
from personal experience.
There were elements missing in the film that would justify the father's
turnabout, even in such dire circumstances.
This is not a predictable plot. You don't necessarily see where the
storyline is headed. Jason Behr gives an outstanding performance in an
unexpected role choice. I greatly enjoyed his performances in "Roswell," and
he should be given more opportunity to spread his wings, and demonstrate his
range as a lead in more feature films. He will be a prominent actor to be
reckoned with if that happens.
I am a great admirer of the film "Powder," and had this script been written
on that par, I believe it would have been exceptional. It certainly had the
right director!
Overall I would certainly recommend this film, because it has depth and a
true edge of realism (in spite of the previously mentioned unrealistic
actions of the father).
3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Very Good..., 15 June 2001
Author:
Randy (noangel104@se-tel.com)
This was a very good film. The characters are very well developed and you
also feel a certain emotion for each one. My particular favorite was the
lead character, Campbell Faraday (Jason Behr). This film holds a lot of
tension and there are quite a bit of twists also.
If you are in the mood for a good thrill ride, go rent this
movie.
**** out of **** stars.
Also recommended: The River Wild
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