This Australian import from writer/director/producer Lee Galea reveals the fear and confusion of gay first love in an unsupportive environment. Tristan Barr and Lucas Linehan give a tender and realistic performance as the young couple.
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Set in Melbourne, Australia during the 1990s, this drama reveals the romance and danger of gay first love in a hostile environment. I suggest it for fans of Beautiful Thing, Edge of 17, Get Real, and Watercolors, or just anyone who relates to coming out stories.
Mike (Tristan Barr) usually hangs out with his friend Jenine (Katrina Maree). She has a crush on him, and he’s not out to anyone—maybe not even himself.
The school bullies fling the usual homophobic taunts at Mike, but he finds male companionship with the new kid in town, Will (Lucas Linehan). The chemistry ignites immediately between them, though Will initially resists it. Both boys come from difficult home lives, and neither seems equipped with confronting their feelings.
Since they need to develop a project based on Romeo and Juliet, they draw from their love for old monster movies. The film’s title refers both to those films and to Mike’s memories of his brother.
The script leans toward tragedy, but with funny, tender, or inspirational moments. Without giving anything away, the story ultimately becomes hopeful. The two male leads give a tender and realistic performance, bolstered by a strong supporting cast. Writer/director/producer Lee Galea delivers an emotional story with well-developed characters.
The DVD includes Lee Galea’s short film Karmarama, which centers on some of the same themes as Monster Pies.
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