The proliferation of gay movies in recent years is mostly a good thing, even if so many of them are amateurish, lightweight and all-too-often packed with the kind of lazy negative stereotypes gay audiences regularly complain about in straight movies & TV. But you can argue that visibility is a good thing, and the more voices being heard, the better. I'd include Monster Pies in that too, if it was simply cliche-ridden and amateurish. Unfortunately, this movie goes beyond the standard depiction of teens tormented by homophobia and delivers an ending that is as irresponsible as it is dramatically questionable. The film's tortured hero, Will, saddled with an abusive father and a brain-damaged mother (yes: total overload), nevertheless finds love with fellow film buff, Nick. Yet, just after he finds the words to express that love, he hangs himself. In Nick's presence, of all things. It's astoundingly insensitive and not hugely plausible, but in a film where credulity is constantly stretched, it's hardly surprising. The real problem is that this suicide scenario plays directly into the kind of suicide ideation many gay teens experience. I know for a fact that such a plot development would not pass muster on network television, where standards exist to prevent plot lines that might provoke real-life copycat acts. But independent filmmakers set their own standards - or, as is the case here, operate without any. It wouldn't be quite so bad if the suicide was psychologically justified and/or loaded with some kind of meaning. But it's not; it's just shock for shock's sake. There's little to justify Will being suicidal. The characters and culture depicted in the film feel peculiarly out of synch with 21st century Australia (and more like the 60s or 70s). And the overall level of melodrama (sky high!) robs the suicide of any real impact anyway; it's just another desperately over-the-top plot choice. But it's still one that might speak to vulnerable teens going through any "you'll be sorry when I'm dead" angst, and that makes Monster Pies a potential danger to its key audience. That aside, the film's only redeeming feature is Lucas Linehan as Will. He's an actor with a good deal of raw potential. Sadly, most of his work since this has been also with Monster Pies director Lee Galea, which can't be a good thing. I hope he gets a real break soon.
Review of Monster Pies
