Because of a Boy - You'll get Over It [DVD]

This is a French film made for TV but despite that is rather superior in most respects. It is a coming out tale but not one that is often dealt with. This is about Vincent, he is seventeen and a role model to his school mainly because he is the super cool best swimmer in their team. With an expanding coterie of female admirers and the devotion of best mate Stephane he also has a relationship with Neomie, she is madly in heart with him and he does nowt to dissuade her - quite the reverse in fact, the little tyke.

He also has a lover, whom he has to invent lies to be with. He lives at home with over caring and doting mum, a socialist father and an elder brother who is unemployed and a bit of a tosser. Things come to a head (forgive the awful pun) when a new bloke turns up and takes an instant shine to Vincent. What happens next is a tale of betrayal, humiliation, family let down and a whole caboodle of grief for Vincent. At one stage his boyfriend says, that it is not his fault he can not come out to his mum. Well some do need a hand and others just can't wait or it is obvious, either way people should be allowed to choose.

I thought this was one of the best screen displays of just how homophobic society can be, and it is often justified by them saying things like `why didn't you tell me?' The idea that every conversation has to start with a declaration of your sexual orientation has always struck me as strange when heterosexuals never are expected to do it. Still I digress, I absolutely loved this film, I found it well acted, engrossing and for a made for TV effort the camera work and production standards were exceptionally good. The issues are dealt with in the shock therapy way, that often accompanies the news that your beloved son is not likely to be providing grand children, but has great taste in clothes and can dance like a disco pro. Still stereo types aside, this is one that any fans of gay cinema will want to see and well done Peccadillo for resurrecting it, not much in the bedroom department though but it does not suffer for that - recommended.

This made-for-TV French coming-out film (A Cause d'un Garçon, 2003) has been released by Pecadillo before as You'll Get Over It (2004), the subtitle of this version. (I had hoped that a Blu-ray disc of Because of A Boy would be offered, but that does not seem to be the case.)

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Vincent and Noemie and Bruno are best buddies with typical teen dreams of travel after school. Vincent and Noemie are a couple and are virgins. Bruno likes Noemie but knows that she has eyes for Vincent. Benjamin is a new student at the school whose gaydar tells him that Vincent is interested. When they are seen together, Vincent is outed at school and to Noemie. Vincent's brother, never his fan, causes problems at home. Vincent's swim team buddies prove to be nastily homophobic, but the coach is not, and works with him separately. Bruno sees a chance opening up for him and Noemie, but does not abandon his good friend even as Noemie proves unreceptive, and ultimately brings Vincent and Benjamin together.

Vincent, of course, wants the close, comfortable relationship with Noemie to continue, but she is a realist. Like many TV fairy tales the loose ends all mesh together by the end, but we see only the tentative first steps by Vincent and Benjamin over the closing credits.

The Speedos are skimpy, and there is plenty of skin in the locker room, and Vincent and Noemie hook up as Vincent attempts to skirt the truth, but the male-male action is limited to kissing.

None of the school characters look their stated ages, but they are all fresh and bright and fill the roles well.

Although Because of a Boy is predictable, it is fun to watch the story unfold.

First thought - oh another film about a popular teenager with lovely girlfriend who realises he's gay and is outed/outs himself to friends/family then has rotten time for awhile and then evrything's fine in the end.
Actually that's exactly what this is but a)it's done with French flair and b) there are a few plot variances that kept this more interesting...
Firstly, Vincent already knows he's gay and already is having sex with his secret gay lover. Secondly, he's not "too good to be true" and is quite a self-centered git in many ways (like how he treats his girlfriend and how he reacts to a teacher who trys to help him) which is a lot more honest & realistic about how 17yr olds really are.
Leads were handsome but really too old to convince as 17yrs old. The girlfriend actually looked more that age but acted way too mature & sophisticated (she should have had a least one tantrum over the way he treated her). Is it just me (?) but I thought Vincent's best (straight) friend was the dishiest and with a real cheeky grin!
Enjoyed it.