Strapped

In the great American indie film tradition - and making up for all the sex I'm not getting.

Finally a queer film from the USA with something worthwhile. This was my "festival risk". I really thought it was going to make a mess of the apartment building maze by trying too hard; although was intrigued enough to give it a go.

An indie aficionado sung it's praises: great story, great soundtrack. The same person who defended Kaboom, so I did take it with a grain of salt. To my relief, I agree. The opening scene was so tantalising. Focusing on a nervous older guy as he delved into his sexuality with an escort, the rent-boy was out of shot until his face slightly turns into the frame and we are introduced to...who? This very young man was prepared to be what you wanted. I don't recall that we even heard his true name. One character thought the rent-boy was an old friend and insisted he join his little gathering. Our man went along for the ride.

The theme was indicated so nicely in the beginning. When he had finished servicing his first trick, the customer stated he felt free. With a shadow of concern over the rent-boy's face we knew he did not.

The apartment corridors were never an unrealistic maze. Rather the rent-boy was casually lost in an environment of desire and make-belief. He was drifting from one trick to the next. Several times he stated this was his choice. In reality, he wasn't free, he wasn't himself and he didn't know which way to go.

Each vignette helped our man discover himself. My favourite was the room with cocaine-fueled Leon and his crew of docile gays. It was a well played out scene. He was happy to be Leon's party friend from the old days; to celebrate, commiserate the best days. And dance for $5 bills. In a strange, solitary moment in the bathroom he tries on lipstick but quickly wipes it off. It's another step in him realising he is not this fantasy person.

The film did stumble into corny a few times. Most of all when he finally kisses a trick and discovers love. But who hasn't been in that dark place where a kiss was needed to fill the soul? I put the cynic aside and went with it.

Indie Aficionado said he willed the escort back up the stairs to love. Myself, I wanted him to give the $200 back to gain his freedom from the maze. The guy he kissed got what he wanted and seemed fulfilled with this; seeking no more. I wanted rent-boy to leave, choosing freedom.