Dream Boy

In the isolated surroundings of rural Louisiana, Nathan is the new kid in town. Shy and introspective, Nathan keeps to himself, but it is not long before he notices Roy, the boy next door. Offering to help Roy with his homework, Nathan becomes increasingly fascinated with his confident neighbour, and the two soon begin a tentative love affair. Based on the novel by Jim Grimsley, what begins as a seemingly traditional story of young gay love, takes some surprising turns along the way, ultimately ending up a far darker and more rewarding prospect that one might first imagine. Director James Bolton sensitively handles the material, and invokes a fine air of mystery during the film’s intriguingly abstract conclusion. Commendable too are the young male leads, Bender and Roeg, who expertly capture a time of adolescent discovery and uncertainty.
Michael Blyth