MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Contentar Best movie of this year hands down!

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

kezzajam Anyone who thinks this is a good film has obviously never seen a decent gay coming-of-age film. The acting and camera work are akin to a no-budget high school film, there are several characters that exist solely as a one line joke that isn't even funny, and the plot boarders on confusing with the main characters motivation jumping from 'love' to 'lust' from scene to seen.The least negative thing I can say about it is that the sex scenes were reasonably well shot, but that doesn't give you much else to look forward to for the other 90 minutes.Casting eyecandy does not excuse sloppy acting.

John Frame It would be difficult to imagine a worse plot, crummier script, sloppier direction or more lack-lustre acting (but I don't blame the actors).Tan Lines pushes the envelope only in terms of what a viewer is willing to put up with in an effort to support queer cinema.There's some very careless film-work e.g. with the reflection of camera crew in clear view in one indoor night shot.No budget is so small that it would excuse what we see here as the final edit.The technical quality of the DVD is particularly low - but I'm guessing it is as good as it would ever get.The storyline is pure farce mixed with a liberal dash of the absurd. The intention is supposedly to tell a gay teen surfer's coming of age story, but the characters are simply not believable - and they're all terminally morose. This film has far too much teen angst and far too little heart.Only "Crazy Richard" gives "Tan Lines" a run for its money as the all time worst Australian film.

reeves2002 The description of the movie sounded good but sounded like any number of other coming of age stories i've seen.I quickly noticed that this one was different and was very entertaining and at times weird and comical.The comic strip at the beginning had me laughing so hard that I had to replay it over a few times.Other then it's quirks(although not a complaint)it was a very well told coming of age story. I really liked Midget Hollows(Jack Baxter) and Cass Masters(Daniel O'Leary) and found their performances really good.In this small town they all had their simple dreams but both Cass and Midget had a desire to travel.Even though it ended realistically,I was hoping they would have taken off together.One thing which was odd is that you never once saw Midgets mother.You only heard about her and saw her dark hair while she slept next to him The two of them were more like pals then mother and son but then who knows who his real parents were considering the folks in that small town and the speculation about his father being anyone.The aunt of Alice was very eccentric and what she does to her niece and male friend is very peculiar and twisted and I have never seen such a bizarre scene before.I was disappointed that Daniel never caught his buddy Midget in bed with his gay older brother.I was waiting for that to happen but it didn't.They were having secret sexual encounters all the time and I don't know how Dan living in the same house as Cass never found out or suspected.They gave new meaning to discreet. I loved the scene when Mr. and Mrs Masters came home to a messy house and found their estranged older son and half naked friend of their youngest son.The conversation was both intense and funny and very well acted.I don't know what category this film is in whether it's a drama or comedy but it's very unusual and good and I recommend people see it.I hope to visit Australia one day and if it's anything like this movie,I can't wait!

jrcham94 I saw this film at the San Francisco LGBT film festival, which usually has high standards. In this case, though, a bit of young male flesh doesn't overcome a terrible screenplay, lousy acting, moronic plot and just enough artsy posing to give the film a veneer of being "edgy". It's not. It's simply cynical film-making that demonstrates a complete contempt for any audience unfortunate enough to have to sit though it. Here's just one example: the film's teenage anti-hero is paid by a town matron to give oral sex to her niece while having tea. The niece is supposed to maintain ladylike comportment and pretend she's not getting head. Why? Who knows? It bears no relation to any other part of this really, really bad film. Be warned.