Dream Boy (2008)

Chronicles the relationship between two gay teenagers in the rural south in the late 70's.

Director:

James Bolton

Writers:

James Bolton, Jim Grimsley (novel)

Stars:

Stephan Bender, Maximillian Roeg, Thomas Jay Ryan

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Stephan Bender	...	Nathan
Maximillian Roeg	...	Roy (as Max Roeg)
Thomas Jay Ryan	...	Harland Davies
Diana Scarwid	...	Vivian Davies
Randy Wayne	...	Burke
Owen Beckman	...	Randy
Tom Gilroy	...	Preacher John
Rooney Mara	...	Evelyn (as Tricia Mara)
Rickie Lee Jones	...	Roy's Mother
Nick Ericson	...	Brother Will

Storyline

Chronicles the relationship between two gay teenagers in the rural south in the late 70's.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | religion | bus driver | barn | closeted gay man | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, and some violence including a rape - involving teens

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 2008 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Kluk snu

Filming Locations:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,243 (USA) (26 March 2010)

Gross:

$6,319 (USA) (25 June 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dream Boy The Movie, Dream Boy, Garbus Kroupa Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The script was written three years before production began.

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Goofs

The story is set in the 1970s, but the car shown in the opening scenes is a Buick Roadmaster station wagon, which was produced from 1991 to 1996. Also, the refrigerator shown is a modern model, not one from the 70s.

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Soundtracks

"Lost Little Man"
Written and performed by Victoria Williams
Published by Mumblety Peg Music
Courtesy of Victoria Williams
By arrangement with Sugaroo!

User Reviews

Near perfect depiction of young, inarticulate love

People watch movies for different reasons. Some people like an elaborate, fast-paced plot. Others enjoy the visual and audio experience. I am the kind of movie watcher who enjoys a well executed and consistent tone and mood. In "Dream Boy," the mood is both melancholy and sweet and there is a constant, if not always apparent, hint of anxiety and apprehension that builds throughout the movie. Capturing a mood is very difficult, and it relies on a number of factors including acting, cinematography, and music. While the acting of the supporting cast in "Dream Boy" can be somewhat inconsistent, the acting of the two main characters, Roy (Max Roeg) and Nathan (Stephan Bender), is very strong. I was particularly impressed with Bender whose performance reminds me of Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious." While it is true that the awkward, inarticulate teenager is well-trod territory in gay cinema, I've never seen the role acted so flawlessly. I was completely convinced that Bender was Nathan. Here we have a rare example of the kind of role that doesn't seem "acted" at all; it's as if Bender embodies the character. Sadly, I think actors with roles that are over-the-top, histrionic, and melodramatic often get the most praise, but it seems equally if not more difficult to portray a shy, introverted character, and the actors who really nail these roles often don't get the recognition they deserve (re: Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain). I've read some criticism that Bender's performance was "wooden," and it strikes me that if you were not an awkward, inarticulate teenager you might not be able to identify with the performance, but if you were the kind of kid who stayed inside most of the day you will probably find the portrayal of your former self incredibly accurate and moving.

There is a lot of attention paid to subtle, non-verbal forms of communication - glances, stares, half-smiles, physical contact - all of which create a much more realistic depiction of young, gay love than the more chatty gay coming-of-age movies that I'm used to seeing. All of that being said, I understand the disappointment with the ambiguous denouement, but plots are relatively tangential for me. If the actors and director manage to depict a convincing mood, then that is all I need to be satisfied, and they have certainly done that with "Dream Boy."