This was a gem. Short but beautifully done. The publicity largely focused on it as a teenagers coming out at his 18th birthday party...and as the son of the pastor of an evangelical church in Texas, the line of development may have been thought to be predictable...but it was not. Yes, by the end,he knew who he was, acknowledged someone who had adored him for a long time (but who was, to a degree 'out' known recognised and accepted by his peers ( he had his necessary female posse!) and,sort of by the adults.
However what made this well above average is that the story of Henry was marvellously woven into the picture given of the community from which he came. A strong and loving family, the absolute and the central and overwhelming importance of the church in all these people's lives. The best thing though is that we saw and got involved in the lives and experiences of all the people, young and olde, at this party and Henry was not the sole focus. He was the centre but all the other people and their lives and events and crises ( not least his mother) were all related, either directly or tangentially to Henry and his experiences. You began to see how he was an integral part of this society... very comfortably upper-middle class...and how he. In a way, would never fully fit in.but for many others in this social group, they did not really fit, or tried to fit but did not and probably never would. Henry was important dramatically as he, at a crucial stage in his life, was beginning to know and accept who he was. Very many others had never done this and so to a degree I felt led lives of quiet desperation. In many way it reminded me of a fifties drama where the social pressures were, or could be, overwhelming and one had to live as one could. In a way not dissimilar to the Tab Hunter film in that respect.
Marvellous little film with, a. One reviewer commented,more than a touch of the Altman about it With the constantly roving camera picking up fragments of conversations, lives and crises.
A super touching film.