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The
Journey of Jared Price (2000)
I don't think I've seen a gay film that was this romantic
and sweet natured since "Maurice." But unlike that Merchant/Ivory
film, this piece is more modern, more pertinent and
more American.
At first, one wonders what the film is going to do.
It starts so typically, with a young "farm boy" getting
off the bus in L.A. and getting a room at a "hostel."
Scenes reminiscent of other films in the gay genre immediately
jump to mind and one feels the impending doom of an
old leach, a male hustler or a creepy pedophile nearing.
You grit your teeth and wait for the unappealing character
to emerge. But, wonderfully, that never happens here.
Perhaps the story is too rosy, in some ways, and that
does lead to some seemingly boring moments. I sat there
feeling antsy at times watching the film but wondering
how drama could be inserted into the piece without making
it become typical or unflattering to gays. But slowly,
very slowly, the film begins to pull you into the plot.
The natural pacing and undeniable charm of the story
ingratiates itself unto the viewer after a time.
And, although the film is perhaps too optimistic in
ways, there is indeed a villain here, although he is
hardly evil. Unfortunately, Steve Tyler plays the older
man, Matthew, with much too much gleam in his eye and
seediness in his heart. He's not likeable or interesting.
He is obviously selfish and untrustworthy. We find it
almost impossible to believe that the innocent, shy,
titular protagonist Jared, played by an often shaky
Corey Spears, would ever fall for such an obvious creep.
Tyler's performance harms the film here. For an understated
character, he is not understated enough. Part of this
is a script problem as well, which has Matthew already
in a relationship and cheating on his lover and not
a very nice person.
What saves most of this is Spears undeniable charisma
and emerging talent. And then there is the secondary
character of Robert played with enormous allure by Josh
Jacobson. Jacobson's perfect acting, undeniable sweetness
and compelling innocence plays wonderfully in the film
and off of Spears. I wonder why he wasn't cast in the
lead? Of course, Spears does do quite well, he even
has sex scenes that are quite challenging, but Jacobson
is the true stand out here. A love story between his
character and the protagonist would have been enough
to sustain this film with ease. Where the film ends
seems much more an appropriate place for a film to begin.
Perhaps a sequel?
Shot in only 6 days on video, "The Journey of Jared
Price" is the first film produced by a greeting card
company called 10 percent (10 %). The film is obviously
quite low budget and hurried. But it's interesting script
(written by director Dustin Lance Black), it's challenging
sex scenes (which try to be erotic but somehow don't
quite make it), and it's young actors make the film
a moderate success.
10% plan to release the film to the public on video
in January 2001. This positive film would make a great
addition to any gay man's collection.
Notes:
Spears is slated to play Michael Douglas' son in an
upcoming film.
10% has 2 features slated for 2001, both to be shot
on high DV.
http://www.10percent.com
Report
Card
Script:
B+
Acting: B-
Cinematography\Lighting: C-
Special Effects\Make Up: C
Music: C
Final
Grade: B+
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