(2009, 90 min)
Country: U.S.
Director: Adam Salky
Studio: Image
SYNOPSIS:
Originally a short on the Boys Life 5 collection, this gorgeously-crafted film tells
the story of a high school gay boy who dares to seduce a mysterious (and very hot)
bad boy, while his best girlfriend has designs on the same guy.
REVIEW:
Written with wit by David Brind and directed with a clean, crisp style, Dare,
takes the gay coming-of-age tale and gives it a fresh new spin. Shot in the wealthy
suburbs of Philadelphia's Mainline, this is a story of three children of privilege at
the beginning of their adult lives.
Aspiring actress and goody-two-shoes Alexa (Emmy Rossum) does a scene for Grant Matson,
(Alan Cumming) a successful actor and asks him for his thoughts. Rather than get the
expected pat on the back for a "job well done" Alexa is confronted with her virginity
and lack of life experiences. Matson tells her that she needs to lust and desire before
she can act out those emotions on stage. Taking the bull by the horn (so to speak) she
goes to a party at the home of Johnny Drake (Zach Gilford) and intends on seducing him.
Johnny is a handful; he's always in trouble, and doesn't make friends easily. What I've
neglected to tell you is that Alexa goes to the party with her best gay friend Ben
Berger (Ashley Springer), who also desires Johnny in a big way. Ben approaches Johnny
by his pool, and tells him that he's never been kissed before. Johnny kisses Ben who
responds with years of pent-up lust. And a menage-a-trois with three beautiful teenagers
has begun.
Studded with queer star icons, Sandra Bernhard, Katy Huffman and Alan Cumming, Dare
is a polished gem, dripping with teenage angst, desire and need. David Brind and Adam
Salky's film is a chestnut that will only get sweeter with age.
-- Scott Cranin, TLA Video (http://www.tlavideo.com )
