Smear (1998) User Reviews

Unpleasant film leaves a bitter aftertaste

[Libretio · 3/10 · 25 February 2005]

SMEAR

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Mono

(Short film)

A teenage boy (Marc Fratello) is consumed with jealousy when his beloved best buddy (Steven Amato) acquires a girlfriend (Liat Goldman).

Aggravating little film in which Fratello is forced to confront his true feelings for Amato when their friendship is threatened by the latter's burgeoning heterosexuality, culminating in a monstrous 'queer-bashing' incident against a guy whom Fratello had earlier been studying from afar. As written, Fratello's character is little more than a self-loathing closet-case whose raging hormones lead to all manner of unpleasant complications, to the dismay of everyone around him. Sam Zalutsky's disappointing film is professional in all respects, but it hasn't got anything remotely positive to say about the 'gay experience'. The final scenes are particularly unappetizing.

Homophobia and/or puberty

[Jayce · 1 December 2004]

I got a chance to see this at the November, 2004 Emerging Filmmakers show at the Little Theater in Rochester, NY.

My take on it is that, on the one hand, it touches on the "homophobia means you're a closeted homosexual," but it also explores the way teenage boys "discovering" girls conflicts with boyhood friendships.

It's about a couple teenage boys and a girl. One of them starts dating a girl, and the other is jealous. But jealous of what? That he's dating? or for his attention? Does this make him gay? Somewhat bi-sexual? These questions lead to a commentary on society: why would such feelings be bad, and lead a person to lash out against others? A society that says, "it's right to be straight and wrong to be gay" just may be at fault for this kind of behavior ... but you can decide for yourself.

Coming out to oneself is sometimes the most difficult

[Havan_IronOak · 7/10 · 7 December 2003]

Danny and Frank are best buddies but now it seems that Frank is more interested in spending time with Jenny. And, Danny is interested in... Frank.

This short is well made and adequately deals with some of the frustrations of coming out. One wishes that there could have been more character development and a bit more complete storyline but then that's often the case with shorts.