Get Real Review
by Akiva Gottlieb (akiva AT excite DOT com)May 7th, 1999
Get Real **
rated R
released by Paramount Classics
starring Ben Silverstone, Brad Gorton, Charlotte Brittain, Stacey Hart, Kate McEnery, Patrick Nielsen
written by Patrick Wilde(based on his play "What's Wrong With Angry?") directed by Simon Shore
For quite a while, homosexuality has been trying to find a way into modern cinema. In films such
as "Gods And Monsters" and "Beautiful Thing", the homosexual themes were ways to further the
story, rather than shock the mainstream audience. But, I'm afraid the genre has taken a step in the
wrong direction with Simon Shore's dramatic comedy "Get Real", the first feature from Paramount
Classics.
Ben Silverstone stars as Steven Carter, a 16-year-old British gay male who settles for casual sex
in bathrooms. The only one whom he has told about his sexuality is Linda(Charlotte Brittain), his
overweight next-door-neighbor. The two social misfits are constantly mocked, but they
complement each other nicely.
One day, while Steven is in a bathroom where the gay men mingle, he gets a note from someone
in the next stall, asking him to meet him outside. A few minutes later, Steven realizes that it's John
Dixon(Brad Gorton), the most popular jock in school and "sex on legs"(proclaims Linda). He tells
Steven that they must forget about the whole thing because he doesn't know what came over him.
While the year goes on, and different girls(most notably Jessica, played by Stacey Hart) hit on
Steven and John, the two teens realize their infatuation for one another. John still denies to himself
that he's gay, but he admits that he is confused. Steven, meanwhile, is coping with the fact that his
parents are slowly figuring out his secret identity.
The main problem, though, with "Get Real", is that it treats "coming out" as a plot element that can
fill a movie. But all of "Get Real" is just Steven contemplating whether to come out or not. "Get
Real" wants to be a normal romantic-comedy, but it makes it's gay themes seem all too important.
Another problem is cliches. In class, the kids just have to be learning Shakespeare's "Romeo And
Juliet"(oh no, not another metaphor), while the film's own star-crossed lovers are taking their
place. And of course, there's got to be the newspaper article, written by Steven, entitled "Get
Real", from which the film takes its name. It's quite surprising that a film which claims to be so
refreshingly original and daring can't even surpass the depth of America's latest teen comedies.
"Get Real" is also very, very melodramatic, so I ended up feeling almost nothing for it's characters,
making it a dull experience.
But at least newcomer Ben Silverstone gives a charming performance as Steven, with potential
that shows that he will charge ahead when given a better role. And this is director Simon Shore's
first film, so at least he has many more years for improvement
a review by Akiva Gottlieb
[email protected]
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/film
watch me on TBS' "Dinner And A Movie" May 21, 8:05pm EST
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