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Reviews
Speech & Debate (2017)
Ehh
Gonna be honest only watched this because Austin McKenzie was attractive
Alex Strangelove (2018)
Beautiful direction and well done atmosphere
If you're wanting to find a movie that has clever plot twists and keeps you guessing to the end then this is definitely not your movie.
If you want to find a movie that showcases the self-doubt and taboo around being gay while still showing audiences that they are nothing but fake social constructs then this is definitely your movie.
Craig Johnson did a phenomenal job showing reasons why coming out is so stressful for people while not falling into cliche stereotypes. Daniel Doheny's performance as Alex is graceful and believable where nothing felt forced. Alex and Claire's relationship is just uncomfortable enough where you can believe it's just an awkward relationship but once Elliot and Alex begin to hang out it's clear how natural and himself Alex becomes. The performance Doheny gives is near-flawless in this subtle-yet-necessary character shift.
The ending flashback scene is cliche but combined with Alex's explanation about how he "always knew but hoped he would grow out" personally resonated with me. It was such an eloquent description of how I felt personally and how so many other gay friends felt as well. In addition to this, how Johnson stigmatizes being gay throughout with all of Alex's friend continuously giving him a hard time about it made that reveal even more resonant.
Yes, ending the movie with a happy prom ending was super cliche but I'm such a sucker for cliche happy high school prom endings.
All in all, I think this movie beautifully portrays (at least for me) the personal struggle of coming out in high school and finally accepting yourself. As a film major I can only hope to create a film that resonates as strongly with people as this film did with me.