Giant Little Ones [DVD]

Giant Little Ones (the odd title is never explained) starts out like it's about straight teenage boys -- making out with girls, bragging about "doing it", and other crap I don't want to see or hear. I almost turned it off, figuring the only thing gay about it was going to be the side story about a father who ran off with another man. Then, after it took a gay turn, it seemed to be showing that homophobia is even worse in Canada than it is here, which could have been great (I'm tired of hearing that Canada is so much better and more progressive than the US) if it hadn't been so brutally upsetting that I had to skip over some of it. Finally, about halfway through, it turned out to be something completely different, not like any other movie I have ever seen, and everything about it is excellent. It's the story of lifelong best friends Franky and Ballas (where they got that name is beyond me, but it's highly distracting, and it's my only major complaint about the movie) who do everything together and obviously care a lot about each other. They both have affluent and supportive families (Franky's dad is the gay one, but he's still actively involved with his kids and his ex-wife) and go to an affluent, suburban and evidently all-white public high school in Ontario (filmed in Sault Ste Marie, but that's probably irrelevant). They're both good-looking, smart, popular, and on the school's swim team. They both have attractive, popular girlfriends, although Ballas is the one who brags about what he does with his. During a very drunken sleepover after Franky's birthday party, Ballas gives Franky a bj (shown only as moving covers on a bed in the dark with sound effects). Afterward Ballas is terrified, so he preemptively tells his girlfriend (and therefore the whole school) that he woke up with Franky giving HIM the bj. Some already-hinted-at homophobia at school breaks out of the closet (especially, and predictably, on the swim team), and Ballas leads an unbelievably cruel, prolonged and relentless verbal and physical attack on Franky. The fact that they'd been so close is what makes Ballas's cruelty so extraordinarily hard to watch. What sets this movie apart from and above every other movie about teenage coming-out is the amazing but entirely believable way Franky deals with what happens. I won't say any more, but this is far and away the best such movie I have ever seen (I've seen them all) or anyone else will see in several lifetimes. Franky is an amazing and completely original character, and Josh Wiggins, the actor who plays him, cannot be praised highly enough. I've never been a Kyle MacLachlan fan, but he's perfect as Franky's dad, as are Maria Bello as his mom and Darren Mann as Ballas. There are no weak performances in the movie, and the screenplay and direction are perfect as well. Even the brutal homophobia (which I'm sick of seeing in movies) is essential and never gratuitous, and it is totally transformed by Franky's amazing and transcendent -- and yet completely believable -- response to it. Very, very, VERY highly recommended.

A wonderful Canadian film with a very original story. It deals with a sexual encounter between two male teens who are long term best friends. A common occurrence. Why does it have to be such a big thing? Because society makes it that way. Are they straight, are they gay? Does it really matter? Do we have to label everyone? Josh Wiggins was outstanding in his leading role. All the actors give great performances due to great directing. Very well written realistic screenplay. The music was really cool and original especially when "Franky" was riding his bike at the beginning of the movie. I loved this movie and its message. (I have to admit, I am biased. I am a canuck! But don't hold that against me! Lol!) Don't miss this movie!

Like just about all other DVD movies, for some reason, so many gay themed movies, this movie is not meant to be watched on conventional TV screens. Many scenes are simply not visible...in this case, THE PIVOTAL SCENE. This is a very good movie...acting is more than credible...plot is a bit stereotypical and at times OVER THE TOP! Hope you have a big flat screen...you will see probably 10-15% more of the movie than I did!!

The many times I would skim right over the thumbnail because I thought I already knew the story and the same ole plot line. I was wrong. Seriously wrong. This movie is like modern-day Greek mythology: things happen, it flies on the wings fear, betrayal of self or by a close-one follows, you done me wrong, sworn off banished from the kingdom, confront then slay the seven-headed hydra. Later: the prince becomes a king and secures his queen; you my dear-friend/protector I give you back your chariot, and you will always be my ride-or-die; I fire off our torch into the constellations; peace is restored to the kingdom; and all live happily ever after😊 The genre says ‘Drama’ and that’s what this movie is. A good drama none restricted by some label or category. This movie doesn’t come across as LGBT only because the story is universal. Anyone can get with the characters because you may already know/have them in your personal life already. Nothing about this film is contrived, cries sympathy, rights, agenda pushing, orientation, and/nor gratuitous symbolism. Glad I’d finally stopped pre-judging the thumbnail with a stinky-face and gave this movie a go. Nice work, Keith Behrman

I wish this movie had gotten a much wider viewing audience and shown throughout the United States as this was such a good and powerful film. Mostly gay themed movies get labeled as low budget, back acting, drug use etc and this was far from the case. This was a film that was so strong and had so many messages and gave so many feelings I did not want it to end. I wanted to see what else was in store for the characters ....all of them not just the two main leads. This movie hits home on so many levels if you have been through something like this and rings so true and is so good its just breath taking. I found myself tearing up toward the end because of the journey of the characters involved because they were that good and so believable. See this movie!

I avoided this film for quite awhile and finally watched it on my Prime. Reasons being that Josh Wiggins didn't strike me as someone in a gay themed film. It took me more than half way through it to get into it. The "so-called" sexual encounter between he and the other male costar was weak at best. The bedroom scene was soo damn dark, you couldn't see what the hell was going on. I was under the impression with earlier trailers that Josh was the one who initiated the sex. No true.. Overall, it was O.K. and I ended up buying it to watch a couple more times and see if it improves. Josh is a very good actor. When the film was over, I thought he did a damn good job. Don't expect an Oscar film out of this and you'll watch the whole thing.

Une histoire intéressante, mais lente au début. Comme elle a été lourdement montée pour parvenir à des conclusions rapides de plusieurs scènes, elle est devenue assez difficile à suivre. Et la scène la plus importante, qui est le point culminant de toute l'histoire, est filmée dans une lumière très sombre, presque comme si elle était destinée à être censurée. On perd donc l'essentiel de l'intrigue. Mais une fois que l'on découvre de quoi il s'agit à travers les dialogues des personnages, l'histoire devient un peu plus claire. A partir de là, une fois que l'on commence à suivre l'histoire, le film se développe mieux. Il se termine de manière plutôt nonchalante par un feu d'artifice et nous nous demandons ce que tout cela signifie.

Emotional movie that really leaves a lasting impression. It was great! Thoroughly enjoyed, and speaks to many issues surrounding sexuality, toxic masculinity, and finding yourself in your youth.

finale "aperto", fa intendere che i due hanno fatto pace

I was happy with my purchase and it was quick.

Sehenswert